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Mauritania's toppled PM released Mauritania's toppled PM released
(29 minutes later)
Mauritania's prime minister and three other high-ranking government officials have been released, leaders of last week's army-led coup say.Mauritania's prime minister and three other high-ranking government officials have been released, leaders of last week's army-led coup say.
The "state council" said it had freed Prime Minister Yahia Ould Ahmed El-Ouakef and three other allies of President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.The "state council" said it had freed Prime Minister Yahia Ould Ahmed El-Ouakef and three other allies of President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.
The statement did not mention Mr Abdallahi, who has been in custody since he was overthrown last Wednesday.The statement did not mention Mr Abdallahi, who has been in custody since he was overthrown last Wednesday.
Western diplomats have urgently called for his release.Western diplomats have urgently called for his release.
"The prime minister was freed Monday afternoon along with three other government officials. "The prime minister was freed Monday afternoon along with three other government officials," the prime minister's spokesman, Mohamed Ould Maayouf, told AFP news agency.
"I understand that only the president is still being held," the prime minister's spokesman, Mohamed Ould Maayouf, told AFP news agency. "I understand that only the president is still being held."
'Unacceptable' poll plan'Unacceptable' poll plan
Earlier, France said it was suspending all non-humanitarian aid to the North-West African nation - a former French colony.Earlier, France said it was suspending all non-humanitarian aid to the North-West African nation - a former French colony.
Gen Abdelaziz has said the deposed president is in good health.
The French decision came after the US said it would suspend all non-humanitarian aid.The French decision came after the US said it would suspend all non-humanitarian aid.
The ambassadors of France, Spain, the US and Germany told the coup leader his plan to hold new elections was unacceptable.The ambassadors of France, Spain, the US and Germany told the coup leader his plan to hold new elections was unacceptable.
General Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz has refused to rule out standing in the elections.General Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz has refused to rule out standing in the elections.
The AU has said Mauritania, one of the world's poorest countries, would be suspended at least until a constitutional government was restored. But Gen Abdelaziz said any international sanctions would not alter his behaviour.
He has said he will organise a rapid return to democratic rule, and indicated he may stand for president.
In an interview with the BBC, he declined to set a date for elections, which he insisted would be transparent.
No poll date
Gen Abdelaziz led a coup last Wednesday that overthrew Mauritania's first democratically-elected leader.
The AU said it would suspend Mauritania following the coup.
'I fear for my father, the president'What next for coup leaders?Taking coup in their stride
Gen Abdelaziz told the BBC's James Copnall in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, that he had been forced to act after the deposed president decided to sack the country's four most senior military officers.
He said Mr Abdallahi had been leading the country away from democracy, and the sacking of military chiefs would have led to fighting between military factions.
"We are thinking of organising elections, which we want to be transparent and democratic," Gen Abdelaziz said.
"We are used to respecting our commitments, so for this reason we cannot take the risk of giving a date which might not be respected," he said.
"I can't say now whether I will be a candidate, because it depends on the future. I won't rule it out but I am not saying I will be a candidate either."
Gen Abdelaziz said Mr Abdallahi, who was under house arrest, was being well looked after and was in good health.
But he appeared sceptical about the prospects of the ousted president returning to political life, our correspondent says.
Mr Abdallahi was elected in 2007, in the first free and fair poll in more than two decades in the country.