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U.N. ending 13-year military peacekeeping mission in Haiti

U.N. peacekeepers from Spain stand in formation during a transitional ceremony at the U.N. Spain base in Forte-Liberte, Haiti, Sunday, March 26, 2006. (ARIANA CUBILLOS / AP)
Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A U.N. peacekeeping mission has helped maintain order in Haiti through 13 years of political turmoil and catastrophe is coming to an end.

The last of the blue-helmeted soldiers are leaving amid concerns that the police and justice system are still not adequate to ensure security in the country. U.N. troops reached a height of more than 10,000 in the aftermath of the devastating January 2010 earthquake.

The mission does not officially end until Oct. 15. There are about 100 international soldiers in who will leave within days.

The U.N. is lowering its flag at its headquarters in Port-au-Prince during a ceremony Thursday. The mission will be followed by a smaller U.N. operation consisting of police and civilians who will help support the country’s justice system.