UN official gives verdict on Haiti poll

The head of the United Nations mission in Haiti says he is more confident now about Sunday's general elections than he was three days ago.



In an interview with Reuters news service, Edmond Mulet called the elections fairly good.



His mood was helped by the dramatic decision of two leading candidates, Mirlande Manigat and Michel Martelly, to reverse their call for the polls to be scrapped.



There have been allegations of fraud in the critical vote for president, a third of the Senate and the entire lower house.



Mulet said he had personally spoken to the candidates and told them that by discrediting the voting process they could be affecting their own chances of winning.



Caricom and OAS observers acknowledged many voters had been turned away by disorganisation and violence but called the vote valid.



According to Mulet patience is now needed in Haiti.