UN commander found dead in Haiti

The Brazilian general commanding UN peacekeeping force in Haiti has been found dead in the Haitian capital, the official Agencia Brasil news agency said today.

Lt. Gen. Urano Teixeira da Mata Bacellar died this morning after a “firearm accident” in Port-au-Prince, Brazilian Army Lt. Col. Fernando da Cunha Matos told the agency.

A body on the second-floor balcony of the hotel used by Bacellar was visible to reporters in the street outside.

The general assumed control over the 7,600-strong force in late August. He replaced another Brazilian, Lt. Gen. Augusto Heleno Ribeiro, who had led UN troops since they were deployed to Haiti in June 2004 to restore stability after a bloody revolt toppled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

The peacekeeping force comprises 6,200 troops and 1,400 civilian police officers from over 40 countries.