UN approves new Haiti peace force

Foreign troops and police are trying to restore order

The United Nations Security Council has voted unanimously to establish a peacekeeping force for Haiti.

The new mission will have more than 8,000 troops and police, who will go for an initial period of six months.

It will take over from a contingent of US-led foreign troops sent after the rebellion ousted former President Jean Bertrand Aristide in February.

The UN force, including more than 1,600 police, is to take over the task of stabilising Haiti from 1 June.

The UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti - to be known as Minustah - will have a wide-ranging mandate.

Its tasks will include maintaining law and order, aiding the government to demobilise armed groups and protecting civilians from violence.

It will also help the transitional government restructure the police and organise elections at the earliest possible date - expected to be some time in 2005.

The BBC's Susannah Price at the UN says it is thought that Brazil, Chile and other Latin American countries will contribute peacekeepers.

'Important step'

The Council said in its resolution that the situation in Haiti continued to pose a threat to peace and security in the region.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had asked for a two-year mandate for the new force, but the Council said the initial six-month deployment could be renewed.

MISSION'S MANDATE Ensure a stable environment for the political process Help restructure and reform the national police Help disarm and demobilise all armed groups Protect civilians under threat of physical violence Help maintain the rule of law and public order Help start a process of national dialogue and reconciliation Help organise free and fair elections at the earliest possible date

"We think that this will be an important step," said Stewart Holliday, a US ambassador at the UN.

The new deployment will replace the 3,600-strong US-led multinational force sent to Haiti after the three-week rebellion against Mr Aristide.

The first democratically-elected president of Haiti was flown out of the country on 29 February.

Mr Aristide says he was kidnapped by the US and has launched a lawsuit.

The organisation of Caribbean states, Caricom, has refused to recognise the new government in Haiti and demanded a UN inquiry into Mr Aristide's departure.