Prime Minister Paul Martin has committed Canada to helping Haiti rebuild its judicial system.

"Along with the European Community and others, we want to re-establish the court system,'' Martin said Saturday at a joint news conference with Gerard Latortue, Haiti's interim prime minister.

"Military security is only part of the answer," the prime minister said.

"Police security is only part of the answer. You've got to have a court system that people can believe in. You have to have a court system that can basically deal with what the police eventually come up with."

Martin was speaking at a conference in Montreal on Haiti's future.

Latortue noted the project would be a long-term one, but still welcomed Canada's participation.

"... The co-operation of Canada, and the fact that Canada has signed up along with the European Union and la Francophonie, will allow us to advance our judicial system considerably," he said.

Martin has made Haiti one of the focal points of his foreign policy.

He paid a one-day visit to the troubled Caribbean nation a month ago where he urged the various factions to stop quarreling and for the various associated gangs to disarm.

Haiti, which has a troubled political history, was plunged into crisis when former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide -- who was elected -- left for exile in late February after massive demonstrations.

After Aristide left, Canada sent in a 500-person stabilization force. That commitment ended in August. The UN has complained its 3,000-member force needs another 2,000 troops.

Unrest is on the rise because gangs supporting Aristide have started demanding his return to power.

New elections are planned for the fall of 2005.

Besides the political unrest, Haiti was ravaged by storms during this fall's hurricane season. Almost 1,900 people died.

Canada gave $3 million for hurricane relief, $20 million in general humanitarian aid and $180 million over two years for reconstruction and development.

It also has about 100 police officers there from various forces helping the Haitian police.

Haiti is one of the hemisphere's poorest countries, with five million people -- two-thirds of the population -- living on less than $1 per day.

It is also has a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS.

With files from The Canadian Press