French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that France has earmarked 326 million euros for aid to Haiti.

The president made his announcement during a visit to the former French colony. The sum includes 56 million in debt Haiti will no longer have to repay. Experts believe reconstruction after the devastating 12 January earthquake will cost about nine billion euros.

A Haitian judge has acquitted eight US missionaries who were charged with abducting children after the earthquake. The judge found they had no criminal intent. Two other missionaries are still being held for questioning.

The ten missionaries were arrested when they tried to cross the border into the Dominican Republic with 33 Haitian children they claimed were orphans, although investigation showed that some of their parents were still alive.