BRASILIA, Jan. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The United Nations has appointed Brazil's General Jose Elito Carvalho de Siqueira to lead the peace-keeping force in Haiti, Brazil's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

    UN General-Secretary Kofi Annan asked Carvalho to take the job, a move that "confirms the appreciation the UN has for Brazil's contribution," the statement said.

    Carvalho de Siqueira, who has a doctorate in military science, is the commander of the sixth military region in Salvador, Brazil.

    He will replace Teixeira da Matta Bacellar, who shot himself dead on Jan. 7 in his hotel room in Haiti.

    In the statement, the ministry also re-iterated its commitment to Haiti, and to re-establishing democratic institutions in the country.

    UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti began work in June 2004, following overthrow of its former President Jean Bertrand Aristide. Enditem