(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-08 17:15

PORT-AU-PRINCE -- Hedi Annabi, UN assistant secretary-general for peacekeeping operations and chief of the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti, said Friday that he hoped China could play a bigger role in stabilizing Haiti.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Annabi said Haiti's security situation had significantly improved since the UN peacekeeping mission was deployed and the nation is seeing all-around development in various fields.

Annabi spoke highly of China's contribution to the peacekeeping mission, saying the Chinese riot squad and police stationed here are working hard and have demonstrated their professional capabilities.

"I have the chance to see the professionalism of China's police force and a Chinese policeman become director of an important UN police department in Haiti. They are all doing well," he said.

China regularly maintains a contingent of 125 police officers in Port-au-Prince. The actual unit, formed by the Frontier Police of Guangdong Province, will leave Haiti on December 13. Another unit formed by the Frontier Police of Yunnan Province will take their place.

A 30-member advance group of the sixth riot squad that China has sent to Haiti arrived here Tuesday. The advance group would immediately start its handover process with their predecessors, and the remaining 95 riot police will be arriving on December 13.

According to Annabi, China has become a big contributor to the UN peacekeeping efforts in the world. "China's role in Haiti is very important. I expect it to play a role even larger," he said.

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