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Death of UN Force Commander in Haiti ruled suicide

Death of UN Force Commander in Haiti ruled suicide

Suicide is the official cause of the death over the weekend of Lt. Gen. Urano Teixeira Da Matta Bacellar, then the Force Commander for United Nations peacekeepers in Haiti, the UN Mission in the country (MINUSTAH) said today.

That was also the conclusion of the Brazilian investigation, the mission added.

Lieutenant-General Bacellar served in Brazil's armed forces for 39 years and had occupied a succession of senior posts before his appointment as MINUSTAH’s Force Commander last September.

The head of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), Jean-Marie Guéhenno, on Monday paid tribute to the 58-year-old general’s long and successful career.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Guéhenno praised Brazil’s strong commitment to Haiti and said another Brazilian Force Commander would be welcomed.