Top UN peacekeeper to visit mission in Haiti

Wrapping up a 5-day trip to Haiti, the United Nations peacekeeping chief is slated to visit the northern port of Cap-Haïtien this weekend, to review the situation with the military, civilian and police leadership of the UN mission there, a UN spokesperson said today.

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno is expected to return to New York on Sunday, spokesperson Marie Okabe said, after a visit to key personnel of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

His visit follows a Security Council decision, effective today, to extend MINUSTAH’s mandate for a further eight months and add more than 1,000 personnel, bringing its staffing level to nearly 9,400 to increase security in the run-up to a newly elected government's inauguration next February.

The Council also called on MINUSTAH and the Transitional Government to immediately begin the disarmament, demobilization and re-integration (DDR) programme for ex-combatants.

Earlier in his visit, Mr. Guéhenno met with Government officials, including President Boniface Alexandre, Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and members of civil society, including leaders of religious groups and non-governmental organizations.