China pushes for UN peacekeeping extension in Haiti: FM spokesman

China is consulting all relevant parties about extending the mandate of UN peacekeepers in Haiti, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said at a regular press conference Tuesday.

"The extension of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti should be helpful to strengthen the political guidance of the UN Security Council," he said. "The mandate and priorities of the mission should be timely adjusted in light of the situation in Haiti. The ultimate aim of the extension should be better pushing the peace process of Haiti."

The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, with its 6,000 peacekeepers including about 140 Chinese policemen, will see its mandate expire June 1. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the interim government of Haiti hoped the mandate could be extended by one year from that date.

China sent a 125-member peacekeeping riot police force to Haiti last September, the first time it has assisted a UN peacekeeping mission with its riot police force abroad.

Source: Xinhua