UNITED NATIONS, (Reuters) – Earthquake-ravaged Haiti  turned down an offer of troops from the neighboring Dominican  Republic, forcing the United Nations to look elsewhere for  additional peacekeepers, U.N. diplomats said yesterday.

The Dominican Republic had offered an 800-strong battalion  to form part of the reinforcement of the U.N. peacekeeping  mission in Haiti.

“We understand the Haitian government has said no to them,”  one Western diplomat said on condition of anonymity. He said he  assumed the decision came from Haitian President Rene Preval.

The two states share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola but  have a history of tense relations.

A U.N. official confirmed that Haiti turned down the offer  but said the decision might not be definitive and talks were  under way to see if Haiti would allow a rescue team or police  from the Dominican Republic to help with the relief efforts.

“We’re hoping other countries can provide troops,” the  official said.

The full potential strength of the U.N. peacekeeping force  is now 12,651, up from the current level of around 9,000, after  a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted on Tuesday.

The United Nations is now rushing to find the extra 3,651  troops and police to help maintain security and deliver aid.