Updated

The chief of the U.N. stabilization mission in Haiti says an impasse that has suspended elections indefinitely could set the deeply polarized country back unless political actors reach agreement soon.

Sandra Honore told The Associated Press that it's important for Haiti's suspended electoral cycle to be resolved as quickly as possible "given the tense moments that the country is living right now."

A weekend runoff was called off amid a surge of violent protests and suspicion that a first round was marred by fraud favoring the ruling party's presidential candidate.

President Michel Martelly is scheduled to step down Feb. 7.

On Wednesday, political leaders negotiated for another day to find a way out of the impasse.

The U.N. mission has been in Haiti since a 2004 rebellion.