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Mauritanian army coup condemned | Mauritanian army coup condemned |
(about 3 hours later) | |
There has been widespread international condemnation of the military takeover in Mauritania. | There has been widespread international condemnation of the military takeover in Mauritania. |
Troops overthrew the country's first democratically president, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, detaining him after he tried to dismiss army chiefs. | Troops overthrew the country's first democratically president, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, detaining him after he tried to dismiss army chiefs. |
UN chief Ban Ki-Moon called for the "restoration of constitutional order". Condemnation has also come from the US, the EU, and the African Union (AU). | |
The military promised to hold a fresh elections "as soon as possible". | |
In a statement released a day after Wednesday's coup, the junta promised that the polls would be "free and transparent". | |
Meanwhile US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called for the immediate release of President Abdallahi and Prime Minister Yahia Ould Ahmed El-Ouakef, both of whom were detained by troops on Wednesday. | |
"The United States looks to all of our international partners to condemn this anti-democratic action," she said in a statement. | |
The European Union warned that it may suspend aid to Mauritania. | |
The AU denounced the coup, demanded a return to constitutional government and said it was sending an envoy to the capital, Nouakchott, immediately. | |
Political crisis | Political crisis |
On Wednesday the president tried to dismiss four senior army officers, including the head of the presidential guard, Gen Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, who responded by launching the coup. | On Wednesday the president tried to dismiss four senior army officers, including the head of the presidential guard, Gen Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, who responded by launching the coup. |
What next for coup leaders? | What next for coup leaders? |
A statement issued by a body calling itself the "State Council" and led by Gen Abdelaziz, was broadcast by Gulf-based Arabic television stations. | A statement issued by a body calling itself the "State Council" and led by Gen Abdelaziz, was broadcast by Gulf-based Arabic television stations. |
It said Mr Abdallahi - who came to power in polls last year, taking over from a military junta - was now a "former president". | It said Mr Abdallahi - who came to power in polls last year, taking over from a military junta - was now a "former president". |
Troops deployed on Nouakchott's streets fired tear gas to disperse about 50 protesters as the council annulled his previous decree dismissing the military chiefs. | Troops deployed on Nouakchott's streets fired tear gas to disperse about 50 protesters as the council annulled his previous decree dismissing the military chiefs. |
The country has been in the grip of a political crisis since a vote of no confidence in the cabinet two weeks ago. | The country has been in the grip of a political crisis since a vote of no confidence in the cabinet two weeks ago. |
On Monday, 48 MPs walked out of the ruling party. | On Monday, 48 MPs walked out of the ruling party. |
Reports suggest some of the generals orchestrated the mass resignation, says the BBC's James Copnall in the region. | Reports suggest some of the generals orchestrated the mass resignation, says the BBC's James Copnall in the region. |
Food protests | Food protests |
Mauritania has a long history of coups, with the military involved in nearly every government since its independence from France in 1960. | Mauritania has a long history of coups, with the military involved in nearly every government since its independence from France in 1960. |
Presidential elections held in 2007 ended a two-year period of military rule - the product of a military coup in 2005. | Presidential elections held in 2007 ended a two-year period of military rule - the product of a military coup in 2005. |
The elections were deemed to have been free and fair and appeared to herald a new era of democracy. | The elections were deemed to have been free and fair and appeared to herald a new era of democracy. |
Earlier this year, however, the president dismissed the government amid protests over soaring food prices. | Earlier this year, however, the president dismissed the government amid protests over soaring food prices. |
The cabinet that replaced it has been dogged by instability, lacking the support of a moderate Islamist party and a major opposition group that were in the former government. | The cabinet that replaced it has been dogged by instability, lacking the support of a moderate Islamist party and a major opposition group that were in the former government. |
Mauritania is one of the world's poorest nations as well as its newest oil producer. | Mauritania is one of the world's poorest nations as well as its newest oil producer. |