Two peacekeepers killed in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI — Unidentified gunmen attacked U.N. peacekeepers near a restive slum in Haiti’s capital, killing two Jordanian members of the force, officials said Saturday.

The attack came late Friday as peacekeepers headed back to base near the Cite Soleil neighborhood, where well-armed gangs blamed for kidnappings are based, a U.N. police spokesman said. One soldier died en route to a hospital, the other while being treated.

U.N. officials said the slayings appeared premeditated.

The U.N. peacekeeping force of 8,800 troops has been stepping up patrols to quell violence in the Caribbean nation’s dense slums.

But there is growing opposition among slum dwellers to the Brazil-led U.N. force, sent to restore order after a bloody February 2004 revolt ousted then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

The residents of the poor neighborhoods have accused U.N. troops of firing indiscriminately during gun battles with gangsters, killing and wounding civilians.

The U.N. denies the charge and says the troops shoot only when attacked. No overall civilian casualty figures were available.

Students and slum dwellers recently have staged street protests calling for withdrawal of the U.N. force.

Nine peacekeepers have died in clashes since the force arrived in June 2004.