China's UN Ambassador Zhang Yesui on Wednesday called on the international community to continue its support for Haiti so as to help maintain the Caribbean state's peace and stability.

Zhang made the statement as he addressed the UN Security Council in an open debate on the situation in Haiti.

The situation in Haiti remains fragile, particularly in terms of economic and social development status, and great challenges still remain in terms of political process, institutional building and security, the Chinese ambassador said.

"As the international community continues to provide support, we call on the Haitian government to muster greater determination, exert greater effort and strengthen its own capacity-building so as to effectively take the responsibility for realizing sustainable peace and stability," he said.

Extreme poverty and economic and social backwardness represent the major obstacles to sustainable peace and stability in the country, he noted.

While the primary responsibility for realizing the country's peace and stability lies with the Haitian government and its people, the international community should, in keep with the specific conditions of Haiti, provide assistance and help, he said.

He urged MINSTAH to provide support and necessary resources to Haiti in terms of political security and rule of law as well as other areas.

Zhang praised MINSTAH for its great contributions in the past five years since its deployment.

"At a time when the situation in Haiti remains fragile, we support the continued presence of MINSTAH. However, as the stabilization of Haiti continues to register progress and consolidation, the responsibilities on the part of MINSTAH will eventually be handed over to the Haitian government and its people," he added.

Established in June 2004 by the Security Council, MINUSTAH succeeded a Multinational Interim Force (MIF) authorized by the Security Council in February 2004 after President Bertrand Aristide departed Haiti for exile in the aftermath of an armed conflict which spread to several cities across the country.

MINUSTAH's mandate is to restore a secure and stable environment, to promote the political process, to strengthen Haiti's government institutions and rule-of-law-structures, as well as to promote and to protect human rights.

(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2009)