Mauritania's authorities release prominent opposition figure

Mauritania's authorities have suddenly and surprisingly released the chairman of the opposition People's Front party and the former presidential candidate al-Shabeih Weld al-Sheikh Maa' al-Ayeneen who had been detained since April 2001.

Father of Sheikh Maa' al-Ayeneen is in jail for five year imprisonment over government's accusations relating to undermining state security.

The decision came according to a presidential pardon issued on Sunday in Noackcott at a time when the country is preparing to launch Presidential elections in November for which Mauritania's Mu'aweya Wild Taye' announced nomination for.

Observers consider that this pardon shows the improvement of political atmosphere in Mauritania despite the failed coupe attempt carried out by army officers in the army on June 8, 2003 and resulted in Killing 15 persons and wounding other 68, according to official statistics.