A startling pattern of suicides by the most elite American soldiers has followed their use of a controversial anti-malaria drug, an investigation by UPI and CNN has found.

This is despite previous government warnings that the drug, called Lariam, might cause long-term mental problems, including aggression and suicide. Six Special Forces soldiers who took their lives are all believed to have taken the drug, according to the investigation.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, voiced concern about Lariam and the Special Forces suicides. "I have long been concerned about the use of the drug Lariam for service members and other US government employees deployed abroad," Feinstein said.

"The Department of Defence and all other government agencies that give this drug to their employees should immediately reassess their decision to use Lariam and look for alternatives."

The Pentagon had announced in February that it was investigating whether there was a link between the drug and any soldier suicides.

But it defends Lariam, known generically as mefloquine, as both highly effective and safe for soldiers to take.

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