Diplomats push for progress on Haiti transition as death toll mounts

FILE PHOTO: A man reacts next to the charred remains of vehicles near the presidential palace, after they were set on fire by gangs, as violence spreads and armed gangs expand their control over the capital, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 25, 2024. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol/File Photo

(Reuters) - Diplomats at a regional Americas body on Wednesday urged Haitian politicians to move forward with a delayed plan to replace Prime Minister Ariel Henry with a transitional council, a move which could trigger the long-awaited deployment of an international security force.

The transitional council - agreed with the mediation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) bloc - has been delayed for over three weeks amid factional infighting over who should be on it and what their powers should be. Haiti's de facto government says it is examining constitutional concerns that have been raised but is working as fast as possible.