Israeli Knesset delegation in Mauritania

A delegation from the Israeli Kensset on Tuesday started its first official visit to Nouakchott since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Mauritania in October 1999.

A Mauritanian parliamentary source said the visit, which will last five days, aims at developing relations in the parliamentary fields between the two countries.

The chairwoman of the Israeli delegation, Nawaeim Shazan, said that Israel has actually entered a new phase in its relations with the Arab states, adding "And we are very happy to hold the first official visit of Mauritania of great importance."

The Israeli delegation includes the Arab-Israeli parliamentarian Hashem Mahameed and another four parliamentarians.

The president of Mauritania, Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya’ will meet with this Israeli delegation later.

This visit comes in reply to a visit held at the end of 1999 by the chairman of the Mauritanian National Assembly, Ahmad Ould Baba, to Israel.

Mauritania has full diplomatic relations with Israel, a matter which raised strong criticism with the opposition parties in Mauritania and the Arab states