(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-12 10:40

SANTIAGO - Gen. Ivan Fabry, Chile's National Defense Staff Chief, said Friday that the Chilean peacekeeping contingent in Haiti has been put at risk by recent nationwide protests launched by Haitians due to soaring food prices.

But Fabry said there were no injuries to the 515 Chilean soldiers deployed in Haiti as part of a UN peacekeeping mission.

"Chilean forces are all right, and they are carrying out their tasks normally," the general added.

Haiti has been hit by a wave of protests in recent days, which was triggered by food price hikes and high living costs. The protests have spread to many cities including the capital Port-au-Prince.

The contingent, whose misson is renewed every six months, is doing lots of work including people transferring, emergency medical service, road building and patrol.