United Nations (CMC):

The United Nations said yesterday its peacekeeping troops in Haiti had arrested 59 suspected gang members since its crackdown on criminal activities began this month.

In a statement, it said most of the arrests had taken place in the Cit Soleil quarter of Port-au-Prince, the capital.

The statement said as a result of the clean-up sweeps, the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has been able to use the sports field in the Blkou area of Cit Soleil to deliver 5,000 litres of drinking water, 700 meals and medical and dental care to local residents.

"We will continue these operations for a better future and for bringing security to the territory of the country, which will allow significant progress and lead to a stable society," MINUSTAH military spokesperson Major Laurie Arellano said.

Hindering peacekeepers

"We will continue to pursue the gangs who dig ditches to prevent the free movement of peacekeepers in order to commit their acts of banditry against the local population and impede their access to public services," she added.

In its latest operation, MINUSTAH said it arrested 21 suspected gangsters in Blkou, set up a new control post and searched the house of the presumed gang leader, Amaral Duclonat, who escaped.

"We weren't able to arrest Amaral, but one thing is sure, he won't be able to harm the population and his gang network has been dismantled," Major Arellano said.

Over the last weekend, UN peacekeepers arrested gang leader Johnny Pierre Louis, also known as "Ti Bazil," who is suspected of several murders.

The UN said he often acted under the orders of an ex-gang chief named Evens, whom MINUSTAH recently ousted from the Boston area of Cit Soleil. Evens escaped, but the UN has turned his headquarters into a free medical clinic.