UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, following deadly weekend violence, his chief spokesperson said on Monday.

"The secretary-general is deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs have intensified their attacks on critical infrastructure over the weekend, including on police stations and two penitentiaries," said the spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

He said Guterres reiterated the need for urgent action, particularly in providing financial support for the non-UN Multinational Security Support Mission. The mission comprises a group of countries' volunteer police contingents that will assist the Haitian police in meeting urgent security needs and preventing the country from plunging further into chaos.

The secretary-general also called on the government of Haiti and other political actors to swiftly agree on the necessary steps to advance the political process towards the restoration of democratic institutions through the holding of elections, said Dujarric.

The violence erupted while Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the acting president, was in Kenya to sign an agreement legalizing Kenya's dispatch of 1,000 police officers in what is expected to be the leading police contingent to help the Haitian police.

Gang violence has been growing across the Caribbean nation since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

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