Above: Mariano Fernandez Amunategui (UN Photo)
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Mariano Fernandez, the head of the UN’s MINUSTAH peacekeeping force in Haiti, said he welcomed the Chamber of Deputies’ confirmation of Laurent Lamothe as the country’s new Prime Minister.
Fernandez, who praised Haitian leaders for the dialogue that led to the confirmation, urged the government and society to “build on the spirit of the prevailing consensus to strengthen the foundations of national stability, strengthen democratic institutions and ensure peace and security and development of Haiti.”
Fernandez said he hoped that the government would soon embark on its work projects, including those aimed at strengthening the rule of law, a stated UN priority, and implementing reconstruction projects.
“The authorities and people of Haiti can be assured of the renewed commitment of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti to help them in the irreversible consolidation of the rule of law based on the institutions foreseen in the constitution, laws, transparency and good governance,” he said.
Lamothe’s predecessor, Garry Conille, who resigned in February, was a former UN official.