The UN needs to take control of Haiti's law enforcement, the ICG says.

Mr Foley said that, unlike the local Haitian police, the UN had the firepower to tackle the problem effectively.

For its part, the UN mission announced a policy of zero tolerance of violence, with increased street patrols in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

On Tuesday, at least seven people were killed when a gang opened fire on a market and then set it alight.

A French honorary consul was murdered on the same day.

Still, the peacekeepers "accepted a mission that is vital to protect a people in dire straits," Mr. Foley said . "They've got to do more."

Meanwhile, a new report by Brussels-based think tank International Crisis Group (ICG) calls the security situation in Haiti "explosive" despite the presence of the 7,400-strong UN force.

'Power'

It blames warring gangs - supporters or opponents of Mr. Aristide - for the bloodshed.

The reports says "powerful spoilers" are fomenting the violence and instability "out of a desire to seek, keep or maximise power, income, authority, or position".

The ICG says the UN needs to take control of law enforcement and security forces if the situation is to improve.

The human rights situation, says the report, is still alarming with allegations of summary executions, violence against women and kidnappings by the Haitian police force.