New UN envoy to Haiti arrives in Port-au-Prince

Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative to Haiti arrived today in the country's capital to take up his work as chief of the UN peacekeeping operation there.

“This is an important day for cooperation between Haiti and the international community," Juan Gabriel Valdes told reporters in Port-au-Prince after meeting with Haitian Prime Minister Gérard Latortue.

Responding to press questions, the envoy said the UN mission, known by the French acronym MINUSTAH, will support the Government's efforts to restore stability.

For his part, the Prime Minister welcomed the appointment of Mr. Valdes and pledged to work with him “hand in hand.”