UN sends more police to assist in Haiti reconstruction

Jun 4, 2010, 16:07 GMT

New York - The United Nations Security Council on Friday dispatched an additional 680 police to join the UN mission in Haiti, who will assist the government through general elections and the transfer of power next year.

The additional forces will increase the total number of UN police in Haiti to 4,391, working along with 8,940 military troops under the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The force originally had a strength of about 7,000 military and police, but the council added several thousands more personnel in response to the earthquake on January 12 to help Port-au-Prince deal with the humanitarian crisis and widespread destruction.

The council said the mission will keep the increased levels of police and military until next year. Haiti is scheduled to hold general elections in November to elect a new president, with the transfer of power set for February 2011.

The council said in a resolution adopted unanimously that the decision to add more police was taken as a 'temporary surge capacity with clearly defined objectives, and a particular focus on building the capacity of the Haiti National Police.'

The UN mission has been involved in assisting Port-au-Prince on institution building as well as security and training of police and armed forces.