Brazil hopes to continue to lead UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti
Brazil has expressed the hope it would remain in command of the United Nations peacekeeping missionin Haiti despite the death of the Brazilian commander of the mission, local media said on Sunday.

Brazilian General Urano Teixeira da Matta Bacellar was found dead from a gunshot wound on his head Saturday in his hotel room in Port-au-Prince, said a report from the UN Stabilization Missionin Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Saturday night that he hoped his country would continue to be in charge of the MINUSTAH, a commitment reiterated by Foreign Minister Celso Amorim.

Amorim has spoken with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and with his counterparts in the United States, Canada and France, who expressed their support for Brazil's continued role.

The Brazilian government has sent experts to Haiti to help investigate the death of da Matta Bacellar. Chilean general Eduardo Aldunate Hermam is the acting head of the mission.

The UN mission in Haiti, which began work in 2004, is trying to restore stability to the Caribbean country after a rebellion overthrew the then-president Jean Bertrand Aristide. Brazil has the largest contingent in Haiti with 1,200 troops.