A UN Security Council delegation arrived in Haiti Monday to meet with President Michel Martelly and to assess the work of UN security forces as the country struggles to recover from a massive 2010 earthquake.
Washington's UN envoy Susan Rice praised the efforts by the troops with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah), which was established in 2004 to help maintain order after then-president Bertrand Aristide departed Haiti for exile amid widespread unrest.
The UN forces have been given a lead role in maintaining order and stability in Haiti, but there have been charges of rapes and other offenses.
"The council and the entire UN acknowledges and appreciates the contribution that Minustah has made over the last eight years, particularly with respect to improving security in some of the most difficult areas," Rice told reporters in the capital city here late Monday.
She expressed particular gratitude for "its role post-earthquake in helping to support reconstruction and protection of civilians."
Washington's UN envoy said the delegation would consult with Haitian officials and with civic leaders during their visit here about the effectiveness of Minustah's work on the ground in Haiti.
The delegation was to meet with Martelly late Monday, and had a meeting scheduled Tuesday with Prime Minister Garry Conille, his cabinet chief.
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