News on defeating Mauritania's coupe, vagueness overwhelms
Mauritania, Politics, 6/9/2003

Mauritania's minister of information Hammoud Weld Muhammad said today that the coupe attempt which took place in the country was defeated and the "conspirators were arrested."

He added in a telephone statement from Nouakchott that the "last of the conspirators surrendered himself." No independent confirmation was made despite the stop of fighting.

Meantime, a high ranking official in the government said that the coupe was totally controlled, the last rebel surrendered to the government forces, noting that the persons who participated in the coupe were led by Col. Saleh Weld Hanana.

The official which did not disclose his identity said that the "Radio and the TV will start their program in the early hours today," adding "an official statement disclosing all information about the coupe will be released."

News reports close to the government said that the authorities arrested several leaders of the military coupe following a violent battle between the two sides with a tanks contingent in the outskirts of the capital Nouakchott. He added that some of the participants in the coupe are currently positioned in the surrounding of the Presidential Palace.

Vagueness overwhelmed the fate of President Mu'aweya Wild Taye' today Monday just one day after the fighting which erupted in the streets of the capital Nouakchott during an attempt to topple the regime. Sources close to the authorities said he is in a good condition, while French officials denied reports which said he is in the French embassy.

Rebellious soldiers controlled parts of Nouakchott and broke at one time on Sunday to the Presidential palace in one of the most dangerous threat to the President of Mauritania since he assumed power in a "white coupe" in 1984.

However, citizens say more than 100 armored vehicles in the outskirts of the city and believed to have come from the East to back al-Taye' supporters, other reinforcements were redeployed from the north.

The official radio stopped broadcasting following a short statement yesterday morning which said that al-Taye' controls the situation completely despite the fact that the radio station was among the first sites targeted by looting operations.

Hospitals tried to accommodate scores of wounded. Citizens said they believe this "uprising" is by officers from the armored forces and the air forces. Two burnt tanks were seen in front of the Presidential palace.

However, the rebels made no open statement and it was not clear yet whether the coupe attempt is linked to increasing political tensions following the launching of a campaign against Islamists and politicians close from the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Accusations were addressed to 32 Islamist leaders earlier this month for threatening the national security. Police sources said that the men are suspected to have links to a foreign networks.

A state of general regret prevails Mauritania because of al-Taye's old relations with Israel. In 1999, Mauritania was the third Arab state to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel.

Israel helps Mauritania in the area of agriculture and is currently building a hospital there. Diplomats say the Israelis give direct aid to the Mauritanian security department.

Al-Taye' is a former colonel in the army. He won elections that took place in 1992 and 1997. It is expected he will launch another presidential elections later this time. Human rights groups often complain of violent methods used by the government.

Previous Stories:
  Mauritania escalates detentions against Islamists   (5/30/2003)
  Mauritania's seculars call for releasing the detainees   (5/10/2003)
  Moroccan fm praises similarity of Moroccan-Mauritanian standpoints   (5/9/2003)

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