Canada winds down Haitian military mission

OTTAWA, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Canada is gradually bringing home more than 2,000 soldiers working earthquake relief in Haiti, the foreign affairs minister announced Monday in Ottawa.

At a news conference, Lawrence Cannon said the country had allocated the troops, two warships and aircraft after the magnitude 7 quake leveled much of Port-au-Prince and surrounding town Jan. 12.

"As we near the end of the Canadian Forces planned 30-60-day emergency relief mandate, we're beginning to progressively see the withdrawal of Canadian assets," Cannon said.

One of the warships set sail for home Saturday, Sun Media reported.

The troops evacuated Canadian and U.S. citizens, cleared roads and provided medical aid and security for distribution of food aid, the Canwest News Service said.

Cannon said Canada still has a significant role in the United Nations stabilization mission and the country's economic pledges of aid will be honored.