Haiti expands state of emergency to whole country

The Haitian authorities have expanded a state of emergency to the whole country as the government battles violent gangs that have taken control of large parts of the capital - and are attempting to move into other regions.

The move comes as the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepares to visit the Caribbean nation, where he will meet Prime Minister Garry Conille to discuss “forthcoming steps in Haiti’s democratic transition”.

Mr Conille has been attempting to restore order since the new government was formed three months ago.

Nearly 580,000 people have been internally displaced by conflict, with close to five million facing severe hunger, the United Nations has said.

The Haitian authorities have expanded a state of emergency to the whole country as the government battles violent gangs that have taken control of large parts of the capital - and are attempting to move into other regions.

The move comes as the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepares to visit the Caribbean nation, where he will meet Prime Minister Garry Conille to discuss “forthcoming steps in Haiti’s democratic transition”.

Mr Conille has been attempting to restore order since the new government was formed three months ago.

Nearly 580,000 people have been internally displaced by conflict, with close to five million facing severe hunger, the United Nations has said.