Brazil plans to start removing troops from Haiti (AP)

BRASILIA, Brazil ? Brazil says it intends to gradually reduce its peacekeeping force in Haiti.

Defense Minister Celso Amorim tells BBC Brasil that keeping the troops in Haiti will not benefit the poor country in the long term.

His comments were confirmed Tuesday by the Defense Ministry's press office, which says there is no timetable to begin the troop withdrawal.

Brazil leads the U.N. peacekeeping mission sent to the Caribbean country in 2004 after a revolt toppled former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The U.N. troops also were key after a devastating earthquake hit the nation in 2010.

The U.N. mission, which was always intended to be temporary, currently has more than 12,000 troops in Haiti.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/un/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110906/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_brazil_un_haiti

tv guide listings queen