AU, UN delegations seek solution to Mauritanian political crisis

2008-08-11

Representatives from the AU, the United Nations and the Arab League met Sunday (August 10th) in Nouakchott for the first of several planned discussions with General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, the president of Mauritania's newly-formed High State Council, the international press reported. "We have already expressed our position about the coup, "African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra was quoted by AFP as saying after the meeting, referring to the AU suspension of Mauritania's membership."We want to prevent Mauritania from falling into a vicious cycle, where the crisis deepens and the international community is led to take measures that would be unfortunate for the lives and the future of the Mauritanian people."

In related news from Mauritania, the party of ousted President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdellahi--the National Pact for Democracy and Development--said Sunday it had been given permission to reopen its offices, closed by police during the coup. APA reports that parliamentarians criticised their colleague, National Assembly Speaker Messoud Ould Boulkheir, on Sunday for denouncing the coup and any future elections organised by Aziz's council. Boulkheir has also called for the reinstatement of Abdellahi.