Up to 10,000 US troops will be in and around Haiti by Monday to help distribute aid and prevent potential rioting among desperate earthquake survivors, the top US military officer said Friday, as President Obama pledged long-term reconstruction help to President Rene Preval.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also said the total American presence in and around the beleaguered country could rise beyond 10,000 as US military officers determine how much assistance may be needed in the days ahead. Obama, who had been unable to contact Preval several times this week, talked for 30 minutes with the Haitian leader, the White House said.