Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned on Thursday as a new council was sworn in to lead the country gripped by deadly gang violence.

Mr Henry agreed to step down last month after armed groups blocked his return to the country.

Gangs are now in control of most of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

They have capitalised on the power vacuum left by the prime minister’s exit and expanded their control over large areas of the country, which has effectively become lawless in places.

Backed by other Caribbean nations and the US, the newly formed transitional council is tasked with drawing up a plan to restore order and return Haiti to democratic rule.

According to BBC News, a recent outbreak of violence forced officials to move their swearing in ceremony from the capital’s National Palace to the outgoing prime minister’s office.

Gangs who have previously attacked the palace had allegedly vowed to derail the ceremony, with one of Haiti’s most powerful gang leaders issuing a threat in a social media video that appeared to be aimed at the council.