Calm in Mauritania as Wild Taye' survives the coupe
Mauritania, Politics, 6/10/2003

President of Mauritania Mu'aweya Wild Taye' has survived a coupe and appeared on TV announcing the end of the coupe attempt carried out by army offices.

In a short speech broadcast by the national radio first and then by TV, he said that the rebellious army officers had taken control of an armored vehicle unit and therefore his forces were obliged to destroy the tanks of the unit. He explained that destroying the coupe attempt took some time because it was necessary to destroy all tanks.

Fatigue appeared on the face of the president who congratulated the army officers and soldiers in Mauritania and thanked them, stressing that the army has proved its ability to withstand the most difficult conditions.

News reports said that the government forces restored control in Noauchchott and all important positions including the Presidential Palace, the TV and radio station, the armored vehicles contingent and the airport.

The reports said that killing of the army chief of staff Muhammad Elamin Weld Najian and another senior officer in the Republican Guards was confirmed in the coupe attempt. A funeral was held for them.

Sources close to the government said the authorities arrested several leaders of the coupe following a fierce fighting between the two sides in the center of the armored vehicles contingents on the outskirts of the capital.

The reports continued that thousands of Mauritanians took the streets as an expression of their happiness over the failure of the coupe attempt and chanted slogans supporting the president.

Eye witnesses said that the fighting seemed to have ended in Nouakchott as large number of citizens started to wonder in the capital's streets in their car. The news reports said that supporters of the president fully controlled the downtown area of the capital.

Meantime, the Mauritania minister of information visited the headquarters of the official media offices to make sure that things returned back to normal. The director of the President's office was seen heading in his official car to the Presidential palace and several ministers also went to their offices.

Weld al-Taye' is a former army officer who won elections that took place between 1992- 1997. He is expected to launch another Presidential elections once again later this year. Human rights watch groups complain over the oppressive practices pursued by the government.

Previous Stories:
  News on defeating Mauritania's coupe, vagueness overwhelms   (6/9/2003)
  Mauritania escalates detentions against Islamists   (5/30/2003)
  Mauritania's seculars call for releasing the detainees   (5/10/2003)

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