Haiti urges UN to renew anti-gang force mandate ahead of planned election

Haiti's foreign minister urged the U.N. Security Council on Thursday to renew the mandate of an international force supporting the country's police, saying

stronger backing is needed if Haiti is to hold its first election in a decade amid widespread gang violence.



Speaking at a meeting of the Organization of American States, Foreign Minister Raina Forbin called for the force to deploy fully as soon as possible and for the Security Council to extend its 12-month mandate before it expires this month.



"We need technical, financial, logistical and safety support that is up to the challenge," Forbin said, referring to Haiti's plan to hold elections on December 13. "We must now move from solidarity to action."



OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin said talks with Haiti's provisional electoral council showed an urgent need for more support. About 1 million national identity cards still must be produced and distributed before voting can take place, he said.