The United Nations Security Council has called an urgent meeting to discuss the latest postponement of Haiti's general election.

A diplomat Wednesday said Security Council members are to meet Friday for a briefing on the circumstances surrounding the postponement.

Earlier this week, the Haitian government announced the general election would not be held January 8 and was to be postponed for the fifth time.

Problems with the election include delays in mailing voter registration cards and controversy over the location of polling places.

The January 8 date was set after the electoral board postponed the voting for a fourth time, citing poor organization and lack of resources.

The election will be the first since President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's ouster in February 2004.