National

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince advises U.S. citizens of ongoing security operations north and south of the embassy and in Croix-de-Bouquets. Heavy gunfire is reported in the area. U.S. government personnel have halted all movements. The embassy remains open for emergency services.

The U.N. Security Council criticized Haitian authorities Thursday for the lack of progress in achieving a political transition and called for urgent security sector reforms to tackle increasing violence by gangs and criminal groups.

Efforts to establish a United Nations office in Haiti to provide logistical and operational support for the newly authorized Gang Suppression Force are on track to meet Security Council deadlines, Secretary-General António Guterres’ office said. “The first air asset from the mission, which is a helicopter, is now in Port-au-Prince,” Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres’ spokesman said. “This is an important step for our colleagues’ logistics and operational mobility.”

Le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU a décidé jeudi de renouveler pour un an le mandat de la mission politique des Nations Unies en Haïti, le BINUH, alors qu'au même moment l'Organisation prépare l'établissement d'un autre bureau pour appuyer la force internationale chargée de la répression des gangs qui sévissent dans le pays.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau revealed that the Haitian government could have collapsed due to gang violence had it not been for the presence of Kenyan police. He said the Kenya police are responsible for the stability being experienced in Haiti. “That government would not have survived had it not been for you. We have learned a lot from your experience. Your heroism and dedication was key.” “I came here to say thank you. You answered the call of the international community to address the crisis in Haiti,” he said.