Port-au-Prince, Haiti - A group of about 50 former officers occupied a former prison in northern Haiti, the UN stabilization force Minustah said.

The prison in Cap Haitien was seized after protests in the city Ouanaminthe, located on the border with the Dominican Republic, Minustah commander Neris Mauro Corbo of Uruguay told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa Tuesday.

The reason for the mutiny was not known at this point, General Corbo said, adding that the uprising had been peaceful until now.

Minustah was working on establishing a dialogue between the opposing parties.

Haiti's army was disbanded in 1995 after a military coup.

Experts believe the protests may be connected with attempts by President Rene Preval to reinstall a prime minister after being forced to dissolve his government following April's famine-related protests.

Haiti's senate is currently discussing a third potential candidate, after it failed to endorse to previous candidates.

While the lower house approved Michele Pierre Louis two weeks ago, opposition senators questioned her suitability because of her alleged homosexuality. (dpa)