U.N. boosts Haiti peacekeeping mission
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-23 15:24

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday voted to temporarily enlarge the peacekeeping mission in Haiti by more than 1,000 troops and police in the run-up to elections set for later this year.

The council resolution, adopted unanimously, stresses that Haiti's poll must take place on time and that newly elected leaders assume power according to schedule on Feb. 7, 2006.

Nearly 7,000 local and regional posts will be contested on Oct. 9, while the election for Haiti's president and 129 legislators will take place on Nov. 13, said the Provisional Electoral Council.

The resolution extended the U.N. mission in Haiti by eight months until Feb. 15, 2006, just a week after the new government is to take power.

The Brazilian-led U.N. mission replaced a U.S.-led force that arrived after a three-week uprising toppled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Feb. 29, 2004. More than 400 people have died since September in clashes involving pro- and anti-Aristide street gangs, police, peacekeepers and ex-soldiers who helped oust Aristide.

The council accepted Annan's recommendation to add 800 troops to the current limit of 6,700 soldiers. In addition, 275 more civilian police would join the 1,622 authorized now.

The vote came as the U.N. peacekeeping chief, Jean-Marie Guehenno, visited Haiti on Wednesday to review the mission's efforts to combat gang violence that threatens to undermine the elections.

Haiti's Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, meanwhile, replaced three Cabinet members, including Justice Minister Bernard Gousse. Gousse, who submitted his resignation last week, had been criticized for the prolonged detentions of hundreds of Aristide supporters, including former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune.

The interior and social affairs ministers also were replaced.

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