Security Council, 10198th Meeting (AM) Haiti

Holding elections is the next major step in Haiti's political transition, Security Council members stressed.

"Haiti should decide its future independently, without nefarious external interference, which is what caused many of the country's problems in the first place," said Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva. She added insecurity must not become an excuse for further delays.

Ambassador Archibald Young of the United Kingdom welcomed recent progress on Haiti's electoral timetable and encouraged "continued momentum towards holding credible elections, which are vital for Haiti's transition."

His counterpart Jay Dharmadhikari from France stressed the urgency of bringing the political transition to a successful conclusion once a minimum level of security has been restored and key national roads reopened.

"Only the restoration of the country's democratic institutions, through the holding of elections, will allow the laying of the foundations for renewed governance," he said.