Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier was charged with corruption and the theft of his country's meagre funds last night after the former Haitian dictator was hauled before a judge in Port-au-Prince

Two days after his return to the country he left following a brutal 15-year rule, a noisy crowd of his supporters protested outside the state prosecutor's office while he was questioned over accusations that he stole public funds and committed human rights abuses after taking over as president from his father in 1971.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, (AFP) - Like a ghost from the past, ousted Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier apologized Friday to the victims of his 15-year regime and said he had returned to work for national reconciliation.

"I am here to show my solidarity at this difficult moment," he said in his first full public statement since ending his 25-year exile and making a surprise landing back in Haiti late Sunday.

"Baby Doc" Duvalier added he also wanted to "voice my deep sorrow to my fellow countrymen who say, rightly, that they were victims under my government."

Speaking in a weak voice to a room packed full of journalists, the 59-year-old called for "national reconciliation" in Haiti and said he had hoped for a "rapid resolution to the political crisis."