Obama renews U.S. commitment to Haitian quake recovery

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President Obama is renewing America’s commitment to the recovery and reconstruction of earthquake-devastated Haiti, telling visiting Haitian President Rene Preval that he understands the situation there “remains dire.”

Standing with Preval in the White House Rose Garden, Obama told Preval Wednesday that Preval had been a profile in courage after the quake. Obama called it “one of the most devastating disasters ever to strike our hemisphere.”

More than 230,000 people perished in the ruins of the Jan. 12 earthquake. Obama called it an “international tragedy” and said he was proud the United States had played a leading role in relief efforts. He told Preval that Washington would remain a partner with Haiti in helping it through a long recovery and reconstruction period.

-- Associated Press