Haitian police demanding better pay and working conditions exchanged fire with armed soldiers in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, on Sunday, killing at least two people and injuring more others, local media reported.

The army's high command said in a statement that a group of policemen opened fire on the army's headquarters, killing one soldier and injuring another, who was hospitalized.

The Haitian government has announced the cancellation of scheduled carnival celebrations for a festival that sought to restore a sense of normalcy in the country.

Haiti has witnessed several protests that police officers have organized since the end of last year as the poor country struggles with a prolonged economic and political crisis.