This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7546418.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
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 Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and the EU warned it may suspend aid to Mauritania. 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).
Condemnation has also come from the US, South Africa and Nigeria. The military promised to hold a fresh elections "as soon as possible".
The AU denounced Wednesday's coup, demanded a return to constitutional government and said it was sending an envoy to the capital, Nouakchott, immediately. In a statement released a day after Wednesday's coup, the junta promised that the polls would be "free and transparent".
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. 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 crisisPolitical 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 protestsFood 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.