The United States on Sunday called on the United Nations Security Council to authorize the immediate deployment of a multinational force to keep peace in Haiti after the resignation of its President Jean Bertrand Aristide earlier in the day.
ĦĦĦĦThe 15-council started emergency closed-door consultations at 6pm (2300 GMT) to discuss a draft resolution circulated by the United States, which is among the so-called friends of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Haiti.
The draft, obtained by Xinhua, says the Multinational Interim Force would stay in Haiti for two months to "contribute to a secure and stable environment in the Haitian capital and elsewhere in the country."
The draft, which does not mention the strength of the force, calls on UN member states to contribute urgently personnel, equipment and other necessary financial and logistic resources to the force.
The resolution also requests Annan to prepare for the establishment of a follow-on UN stabilization force to support continuation of a peaceful and constitutional political process and the maintenance of peace in Haiti.
Heading for the close meeting, US Ambassador to the UN John Negroponte told reporters that he expected the resolution to be adopted Sunday night.
The session was called after the political crisis in Haiti tooka dramatic turn early on Sunday when Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide, who had insisted on staying in power, resigned and reportedly fled to an unknown country.
Aristide turned over the presidency to the head of the Haitian Supreme Court. Hours after the flight of Aristide, US President George W. Bush ordered hundreds of marines to the Caribbean country to re-establish law and order.
Haiti's rebels have promised not to attack the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince for 24 hours to allow for Aristide's departure. They reportedly were not opposed to the arrival of US marines, who were expected to land on Haiti Sunday night.
The friends of Annan on Haiti also include Canada, France, Brazil, Chile and the 15 Caribbean Community (CARRICOM) member states.
