HAVANA, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti known as Minustah said on Thursday it had suspended a training program for local police till President-elect Rene Preval takes office.

    The training agreement was signed on Feb. 22 in New York by Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and Minustah civilian chief Juan Gabriel Valdes.

    Minustah spokesman David Whimurst said the UN mission favored abroad consultation on the issue which would involve Minustah, the Haitian transitional government, officials of the new government and heads of the police.

    Whimurst added that Spanish forces would leave the island by April 5, a move Madrid announced last month. They will be replaced by Uruguayan troops.

    The Spanish Foreign Ministry said last week they would send police and aid personnel to Haiti to replace its troops in the UN mission. Enditem