{O/C} {In other news}
With Haiti gripped with gang violence and a scarcity of daily necessities, the United Nations Security Council today vetted various options, including deploying foreign troops, to allay the crisis there.
{Take SOT}
{Soundbite}
STEPHANE DUJARRIC, Spokesperson for the U.N. Secretary-General:
The Secretary-General said that he remains gravely concerned about the situation in Haiti.
The Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council a letter with options for enhanced security support to Haiti.
{VO}
A letter with a dire plea for solidarity with and support for Haitians.
In it, the head of the U.N. said deploying foreign troops to Haiti, now besieged by gang violence, political upheaval and a lack of basic supplies, would remove the threat posed by armed gangs.
It would also provide swift protection to critical infrastructure and service, as well as secure the free movement of potable water, fuel, food and medical supplies.
But turning back to U.N. engagement in peacekeeping would be the last resort.
This, after Haiti's Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, and 18 top officials requested a "specialised armed force" to halt the criminal actions of armed gangs.
The audacious gangs made waves last month by seizing a key fuel terminal in the capital of Port-au-Prince that houses some 10 million gallons of diesel and gasoline and more than 800,000 gallons of kerosene.
A surge in gas prices has also prompted widespread riots nationwide, preventing the flow of goods and traffic.
Protesters blared slogans demanding the ouster of the Prime Minister.
Compounding the predicament is a cholera outbreak that has also fatally struck several people and sickened dozens.
{Soundbite}
The national authorities are investigating the situation to identify the source, and they have been mounting an urgent response.
We urgently appeal for funds from the international community to address the cholera outbreak.
{VO}
And this message was aimed directly at Haitians.
{Soundbite}
The Secretary-General also renewed his call on Haitian stakeholders to rise above their differences and to engage, without any further delay, in a peaceful and inclusive dialogue on a constructive way forward.
Comments