Peacekeepers to be returned after prostitute claims

The United Nations ordered 108 Sri Lankan soldiers serving as peacekeepers in Haiti to return home on Saturday after a preliminary investigation found they paid for prostitutes, including some who might be underage.

Sri Lanka also decided to repatriate the battalion's second in command and two company commanders, UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said on Friday.

She said the UN Mission in Haiti requested an immediate investigation after receiving "allegations of incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse by members" of the Sri Lankan battalion. Based on a preliminary report by the UN's internal watchdog, 108 of the 950 Sri Lankan soldiers will be repatriated on disciplinary grounds for apparently engaging prostitutes, she said.