Palau’s President Is Found Dead; Suicide Suspected

KOROR, Palau — President Lazarus Salii was found shot to death in his home Saturday, the second president in a row to die by gunfire in this tiny Pacific island chain that has been split by a dispute over a proposed self-governance agreement with the United States.

It was not immediately known if Salii, 54, had killed himself or was murdered. Police Officer Theodore Obak at first said an unknown gunman had fired the fatal shot, but a government spokesman said later that a gun was found and suicide had not been ruled out.

Vice President Thomas Remengesau Sr., was sworn in as the new president. Remengesau, 57, will serve out the remainder of Salii’s term. Palau is about 4,500 miles southwest of Hawaii.