March 14 (Reuters) - Royal Caribbean Group has

suspended cruise visits to Labadee, a private island in Haiti,

for the next seven days following months of escalating gang

violence in the country, a senior company executive said in a

Facebook post on Thursday.

The company will continue the suspension as required with

three days advance notice to guests sailing on impacted

itineraries, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO

Michael Bayley said.

Violence by powerful armed gangs had gripped Haiti, causing

thousands to flee their homes, after anti-government protests

broke out early in February.

The violent clashes in the capital had damaged

communications and led to prison breaks, culminating in the

resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The Haitian capital

was calm following Henry's announcement.

Royal Caribbean's global security team "is closely

monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti", a company

spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the temporary

adjustments to sailings resulted from "an abundance of caution".

Rival Carnival Corp ( CCL ) does not have any cruise stops

in Haiti.