PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CMC):

A delegation from the Organisation of American States (OAS) has ended a four-day visit to Haiti reaffirming the hemispheric organisation's commitment to supporting and consolidating the Caribbean nation's democracy, human rights and social and economic development.

The delegation, led by the chairman of the OAS Permanent Council, Ambassador Cornelius A. Smith of The Bahamas and including Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin held talks with President René Préval and other political and private sector officials.

A communiqué issued at the end of the visit said that the mission reaffirmed that support for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country would be "in consonance with the priorities and needs articulated by the government of Haiti".<