U.S. Says Troops To Leave Haiti On Time

The State Department dismissed speculation that U.S. troops in Haiti will extend their stay beyond their scheduled departure early next year.

Spokesman Glyn Davies said Wednesday the estimated 2,400 U.S. troops in Haiti serving in the U.N. mission there will begin their pullout as scheduled on Feb. 29. That same deadline applies to all of the 6,000 troops serving in Haiti under the U.N. umbrella.

Haitian President-elect Rene Preval, concerned about possible unrest after the U.N. forces leave, said last week he was considering asking the United Nations to prolong its mandate.