The United Nations Security Council on November 30 extended the mandate of the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH) for a further period of three months until March 15, 2000.

In its resolution unanimously adopted, the Security Council said the mission was extended in order to ensure a phased transition to an International Civilian Support Mission in Haiti( MICAH).

The Council requested the UN Secretary-General to coordinate and expedite the transition from MIPONUH to MICAH and to report to it on the implementation of this resolution by March 1, 2000.

Speaking after voting on the resolution, Chinese delegate Cheng Xu said China has always supported the efforts made by the United Nations in assisting Haitian people to get over their political crisis and start the economic reconstruction.

China supports the proposal made by the UN Secretary- General to set up MICAH and China hopes that the General Assembly will make a decision on the relevant resolution at an early date, the delegate said.

Cheng said China believes that when the overall situation in Haiti is stable, the United Nations should focus its efforts to help Haiti to fight poverty and restore its economy, and therefore, China has always held the view that MIPONUH should consider completing its work in consideration of the overall situation so that relevant agencies can play a bigger role in the peace- building field.

China sincerely hopes that Haiti can keep the situation stable and with the help of the international community, march towards peace, stability and development, he added.