UN chief: Haiti political crisis could destabilize country

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is warning that Haiti’s political crisis has the potential to destabilize the country and reduce international support.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday the U.N. chief is deeply concerned at the continuing political uncertainty and calls on the National Assembly to urgently decide on a provisional government for the impoverished Caribbean nation “that can ensure the completion of the electoral process and a return to full constitutional order without further delays.”

Haiti entered into another leaderless drift Wednesday as the provisional president’s 120-day mandate came to a close. Lawmakers were expected to decide whether to extend caretaker President Jocelerme Privert’s term until new elections can be held or pave the way for a new interim leader. But a National Assembly session failed to take place Tuesday.