Haiti gang seizes French citizens

UN peacekeepers have struggled to restore order in Haiti

Three French citizens, including at least one missionary, have been kidnapped by an armed group in Haiti.

The trio were seized on a road near the airport in the capital, Port-au-Prince, police said.

The UN mission in Haiti said it was working for the captives' release. It said the kidnappers had demanded a ransom - but would not say how much.

UN peacekeepers, struggling to maintain security in Haiti, have increased their number ahead of elections next month.

The French foreign ministry confirmed the kidnapping but would not name the hostages. It said at least one of the hostages was a missionary.

Local police said a priest and a nun were among those seized.

Some reports spoke of a fourth captive.

Kidnapping rife

They were reported to have been travelling on a road near Cite Soleil, a sprawling Port-au-Prince slum that is the base of heavily armed gangs.

Haiti has been plagued by violence since early 2004, when President Jean Bertrand Aristide was ousted.

A UN force of more than 8,000 has been unable to suppress the unrest.

Kidnappings have become rife.

Last month, there were 162 reported kidnap cases in Haiti, said UN spokesman David Wimhurst.

Often hostages are released after the payment of a ransom.