Obama: 'America won't abandon neighbour'

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP)President Barack Obama is pledging a sustained commitment to the government and the people of Haiti, and thanking United States (US) citizens for showing "extraordinary compassion".

The president said Friday the United States has a responsibility to help a neighbour in the Americas. Haiti is reeling from an enormous earthquake, with a mounting death toll and a desperate need for food, water and other supplies.

Obama also announced that he will meet at the White House Saturday with former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He has chosen them to lead the private fund-raising efforts to help Haiti. He said the entire world stands with the government and the people of Haiti, and that US aid is flowing into the country.