The US State Department urged its citizens to leave Haiti as soon as possible.

According to the department, its notice applies to non-key employees of the US government in Haiti, as well as to their family members.

The US State Department stressed the need for US citizens who do not work for the government to leave Haiti as soon as possible "on commercial or other private transportation."

The US State Department justified its request by "the spread of kidnappings, crime and civil unrest, as well as the underdeveloped health care infrastructure in Haiti."

Source: National Iraqi News Agency