"Core Group" and MINUSTAH urge Haiti to meet power transfer deadline


Haiti needs to take "all steps necessary" to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to a new president, by February 7.

That's according to the so-called "Core Group" of countries and the UN mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) which are overseeing the Caribbean country's transition to a new government, by February's constitutionally-mandated deadline.

Delayed presidential and legislative run-off elections are due to take place by January 17, but news reports say that the official in charge of the on-going election process said Tuesday, the deadline would be "impossible" to meet.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all involved in the election process to meet the deadline and act in a "transparent, inclusive and credible manner."

He pointed out that Parliament had not met since January of last year, and the whole political stability of Haiti was at stake.


SOURCE: UN Radio