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UN troops flood into Haiti slum UN troops flood into Haiti slum
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of United Nations troops have moved into Haiti's largest slum, Cite Soleil, sparking a major gun battle with suspected gang members. Hundreds of United Nations troops have moved into Haiti's largest slum, sparking a major gun battle with suspected gang members.
Up to 700 UN peacekeepers entered Cite Soleil, a coastal area of the capital Port-au-Prince, at 0300 (0800 GMT).Up to 700 UN peacekeepers entered Cite Soleil, a coastal area of the capital Port-au-Prince, at 0300 (0800 GMT).
A UN spokesman said the troops had forced a major criminal gang out of its headquarters in the slum. UN troops make regular incursions into Cite Soleil - home to about 300,000 people - but a spokesman said this was the biggest so far.
UN troops have made regular incursions into Cite Soleil in the past, as they attempt to reduce violence in Haiti. He said troops had forced a major criminal gang out of its headquarters.
The Brazilian-led force of 8,000 has been deployed in Haiti since the ousting of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004.The Brazilian-led force of 8,000 has been deployed in Haiti since the ousting of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004.
Fierce resistanceFierce resistance
UN spokesman David Wimhurst told the BBC that Friday's operation was the largest incursion into Cite Soleil yet attempted by the UN.UN spokesman David Wimhurst told the BBC that Friday's operation was the largest incursion into Cite Soleil yet attempted by the UN.
Troops entered an area of Cite Soleil known as Boston, the stronghold of a gang leader known only as Evans.Troops entered an area of Cite Soleil known as Boston, the stronghold of a gang leader known only as Evans.
Evans has been blamed for kidnappings, killings and rapes in the areas under the control of his gang.Evans has been blamed for kidnappings, killings and rapes in the areas under the control of his gang.
There was fierce fighting and heavy resistance from gang members, Mr Wimhurst said, but few reports of casualties.There was fierce fighting and heavy resistance from gang members, Mr Wimhurst said, but few reports of casualties.
The spokesman said the UN forced gang members out of a school they had occupied, and out of their major headquarters, known as Jamaica Base.The spokesman said the UN forced gang members out of a school they had occupied, and out of their major headquarters, known as Jamaica Base.
"That means Evans no longer has a base in Cite Soleil," Mr Wimhurst said."That means Evans no longer has a base in Cite Soleil," Mr Wimhurst said.
Local radio reported heavy and sustained gunfire coming from the area of Cite Soleil, making an accurate assessment of casualty figures difficult.Local radio reported heavy and sustained gunfire coming from the area of Cite Soleil, making an accurate assessment of casualty figures difficult.
At least four people were killed and six wounded during the UN's previous incursion into Cite Soleil, in late January.At least four people were killed and six wounded during the UN's previous incursion into Cite Soleil, in late January.
There was further violence in December, with at least five people killed in similar clashes.There was further violence in December, with at least five people killed in similar clashes.