Honduras to help with U.N. mission in Haiti

Honduras government plans to send at least 200 soldiers to help the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

Photo: Honduras to help with U.N. mission in Haiti

Congress authorized the mission late Wednesday, with only four leftist lawmakers voting against it, ruling party congressman Jose Azcona Bocock said in a news conference. The opposition lawmakers argued that humanitarian help - not soldiers - was more appropriate aid for Haiti.

It is the second time Honduras has agreed to send peacekeeping troops to Haiti. It was unclear how long they would remain.

Haiti's capital fell into chaos after a 2004 revolt toppled former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Since the uprising, the U.N. force of 7,800 troops has provided the only real security for the unstable nation of about 8.7 million.

The mission's chief, Hedi Annabi, said this month that it will likely remain in Haiti for several more years.