UNITED NATIONS, April 30 (UPI) -- The United Nations authorized Friday a force more than 8,000-strong sent to Haiti on June 1.
In addition to 6,700 U.N. troops, the force will also include international police and political and human rights experts.
The mission is scheduled to last six months, though it could be extended if warranted. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Friday that the international body was dedicated to turning Haiti into a "functioning democracy."
There are currently some 3,600 troops in Haiti comprising a multi-national peacekeeping force led by the U.S. Marines. However, when the U.N. forces arrive, Brazilian troops are expected to play a major role in the continued effort to improve security and restore order to the embattled Caribbean nation.
Haiti's latest downward spiral into violence, which left more than 200 people dead, began in early February when armed rebel groups began taking over parts of the country and calling for President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to resign.
Amid increasing pressure from the rebels and nations like the United States and France, Aristide left the country on Feb. 29.
The former Haitian leader says that he was duped into leaving the country by U.S. officials in Haiti, including U.S. Ambassador James Foley. Washington and the U.S. mission in Port-au-Prince deny the allegation.
