Ould Daddah against rapprochement between Mauritania and Israel

The chairman of the federation of the Mauritania's opposition Union of Democratic Forces-New Era, Ahmad Ould Daddah, on Saturday in Nouakchott opposed the Mauritanian - Israeli rapprochement and described this act as "a treason and an act which is in contradiction with the national, Arab, African and Islamic will."

AFP quoted Ould Daddah as saying in a statement he delivered at the conclusion of his party's congress that the decision taken by Mauritanian President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya to raise the level of diplomatic representation with Israel to the ambassadorial level as a "bad" step by the government which is destroying the country. He called on all living forces to join his party in order to salvage Mauritania before it is too late.

Ould Daddah, who was reelected as head of the party, reiterated his commitment in the framework of the front of the opposition parties to withstand the ruling authority.

The conference also called for the return of Mauritanian refugees in Senegal and restoration of their rights. The conference, in this respect, proposed starting investigations on the fate of sums funded by the international group for "reemerging of the refugees."

The conference was attended by representatives of African parties from Senegal, Mali, and Guinea and from the French Communist Party. The conferees received a message of solidarity and encouragement from the French Socialist Party.