Port-au-prince: Three UN peacekeepers from Sri Lanka were shot and wounded by unknown gunmen as multilateral forces tried to quell food riots, UN sources told AFP today.

The three soldiers were injured in the Carrefour neighbourhood, which has been the scene of violent demonstrations against spiking food costs.

"The soldiers were fired upon while they were on patrol. They did not return fire and were not able to identify the shooters," said the UN mission's spokeswoman Sophie Boutaud de la Combe.

The UN said the peacekeepers did not suffer life threatening injuries.

Since the start of the food riots a week ago which have left five dead, UN installations have been targeted by angry residents. At least five UN vehicles have been burned.

The peacekeepers have so far responded with teargas and other non-lethal weapons.

Source : PTI