Mylena Fiori
Reporter - Agencia Brasil

Brasilia – United Nations (UN) Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) may stay in the country after the presidential elections, scheduled for February 7th.

The Mission mandate ends in February, however, according to Brazil Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, it will probably be extended. Per the rules, extensions are made in a six-month period basis. The decision will be made by the UN Security Council.

"This is not the right moment to leave. It is the moment to stay, to help Haiti go through this transition," said Amorim, who believes that the presence of the Peace Mission in the post-election period is important to ensure the country’s stability.

When asked about the presence of Brazil in the command of the MINUSTAH military force, Amorim said "with elections and a serious reconstruction effort, who knows, we may leave or be replaced by another country."

Translation: Andréa Alves