Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula reaffirmed his support for earthquake-ravaged Haiti yesterday. It followed a meeting with Haitian President Rene Preval.

Preval and Lula flew by helicopter over the city to survey damage and then signed a series of bilateral agreements.

Lula says it is important for all countries, to rally behind the stricken nation.

[Luiz Inacio Lula, Brazilian President]:

"All the countries, from the larger to the smaller, are ready to make any sacrifice for Haiti. This visit is pretty important for it's the first step. My trip to Haiti with the media reaffirms here my fellow president (Rene) Preval that the Brazilian government will use all it's resources to help and, the most important, with the consent of the Haitian government.”

Brazil has played a leading role in Haiti since 2005 when it took command of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, heading up peacekeeping operations.

Brazil lost 24 of its 1,200-strong contingent in the January quake.

Lula visited Brazil's new camp, redesigned to accommodate a reinforcement of 900 more troops in March. He also attended a military parade of Brazilian forces.