Friday, the representatives of the 15 Member States of the United Nations Security Council began a three-day mission in Haiti. The delegation is co-led by the Chilean ambassador Cristian Barros Melet which also holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of January and Ms. Samantha Power, US Ambassador to the UN.

The purpose of the mission is to assess the implementation of Security Council resolutions, including the last Resolution 2180 and review progress in the development of capacity of the Haitian state, in particular the ongoing strengthening of the Haitian National Police, and the national authorities´ increasing exercise of the Haitian State´s responsibility for the maintenance of stability and security in the country.

The Security Council intends to reaffirm, through this visit, "his continued support to the Government and people of Haiti and to express its strong support for the Minustah and the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Haiti, Ms. Sandra Honoré."

During their time in Haiti, the members of the Security Council will meet with President Martelly and high officials of the Government of Haiti, as well as representatives from the agencies, funds and programs of the United Nations working in Haiti and representatives from the troops and police contributors countries to Minustah. They will also meet with political leaders and civil society.

Friday evening, during a press conference after a meeting between members of the Security Council and the President Martelly, the Head of State declared, "I have informed the President of the Council of our efforts to find a lasting solution, not only to the electoral crisis, but also structural difficulties we face [...] I reiterated my determination to continue the dialogue with all national stakeholders to create a climate for the holding of democratic elections, inclusive, free and fair in the country."

In her speech, the Ambassador Samantha Power indicated "During the meeting, we informed the President Martelly and his ministers, to our disappointment for not having been able to find a compromise and avoid the departure of parliamentarians". For his part, the Chilean Ambassador urged Haitian political actors to cooperate order to make possible quickly credible and transparent elections in accordance with the Haitian Constitution "During our meeting with President Martelly, we expressed our appreciation for the efforts he made to find a consensus to maintain functional the Parliament and facilitate the vote of the electoral law."

The delegation, which will stay in Haiti until Sunday, will continue its journey Saturday outside the capital, including a visit to the country's second city, Cap-Haitien and visits to various projects in Haiti.

HL/ HaitiLibre