The southern peninsula of Haiti and all of Jamaica remain under a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning. Both countries are forecast to see a tremendous amount of rain, enough to potentially spawn life-threatening mudslides and flash flooding in Haiti and the island of Hispaniola.

With slow-moving Tropical Storm Melissa expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane as soon as Saturday as it churns towards Jamaica and southwest Haiti, the United Nations said Friday it's actively helping the Caribbean respond to any devastation.

U.N. Security Council members have warned Haiti's leaders that time is running out to restore security and hold general elections as the deadline to install a new government nears.

Haiti will not hold a general election before the end of the current interim government's mandate next February, the head of the country's electoral council told Reuters on Wednesday, as the expansion of armed gangs makes any hope for a full and stable vote impossible.

Dozens of people were accused of participating in the assassination of Jovenel Moise, the Haitian president. The two trials involving his killing are flailing.

The southern peninsula of Haiti remains under a hurricane watch, and all of Jamaica is under a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning. Both countries are forecast to see a tremendous amount of rain, enough to potentially spawn life-threatening mudslides and flash flooding in Haiti and the island of Hispaniola.

MIAMI — Tropical Storm Melissa began dumping heavy rain on Hispaniola on Tuesday as forecasters warned of a significant flood risk in parts of the Caribbean region later this week.