Ja: Act now on Haiti

With Haiti in the throes of a rebellion, Caribbean nations yesterday urged the UN Security Council to immediately authorise a multinational force to end the violence and restore law and order.

But the council - including key members France and the United States, which have taken a lead in trying to end the Haitian crisis - have strongly indicated they want a political settlement before deploying an international force.

Arguing against waiting for a political solution, Jamaica's Foreign Minister K D Knight told an open council meeting that rebel forces which have now created "anarchy" in much of the country are likely to reach the capital Port-au-Prince, and immediate action is needed.