An international conference on the United Nations' peacekeeping mission in Haiti began in Brasilia on Monday, Brazil's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The 3-day meeting is attended by leading figures, including Fritz Longchamps, Secretary General of the presidency in Haiti, Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay and Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim.

Military and civilian representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay are also present.

Brazil leads the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which was put together in 2004, after Jean Bertrand Aristide was ousted as Haiti's president. It contributes 1,200 troops, the largest single contingent, to the 6,700-strong mission.

(Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2007)