NAIROBI, July 29 (Reuters) - Kenya is ready to lead a multinational force into Haiti, which is experiencing a surge in violence between police and gangs, its foreign minister said on Saturday. Earlier this month, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to the Security Council and major potential contribution countries to act fast to create the conditions for the deployment of multinational force to Haiti. "At the request of Friends of Haiti Group of Nations, Kenya has accepted to positively consider leading a Multi-National Force to Haiti," Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua said in a statement. Mutua said the planned deployment from Kenya is still subject to getting a U.N. Security Council mandate and Kenyan authorisations. "An Assessment Mission by a Task Team of the Kenya Police is scheduled within the next few weeks," he said.

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Persons: Antonio Guterres, Alfred Mutua, Mutua, George Obulutsa, Valentine Hilaire, Giles Elgood Organizations: Security, Haiti Group, Nations, National Force, Kenyan, Kenya Police, Thomson Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, Haiti, Mexico City