afrol News, 14 August - Mauritania's military junta that dislodged President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi from power risked international isolation, warned the European Union.

"The EU warns the military junta that the country faces the serious risk of long-lasting isolation from the international scene," the French presidency of the EU said.

The bloc reiterates its greatest condemnation of the 6 August coup, reportedly sparked off by the sacking of four senior military officials, including the junta leader, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who formerly headed the presidential guards.

The EU damned the coup of Mauritania's first democratically elected President and insisted that it was "devoid of all legitimacy." The bloc asked the junta to restore constitutional rule and offer support to talks led by the African Union and the Arab League.

General Aziz, who leads an 11-member high state council, was on Tuesday given the legal mandate to rule the country until presidential elections were held.

The ousted president remains in detention, though the prime minister was freed.

Members of the international community, including the United Nations Development Programme at the weekend categorically opposed any "unilateral" elections in the West African country.

On Wednesday, General Aziz held talks with political parties on the formation of a new government. While one political party had turned down to take part in a new government, some opposition parties that supported the putsch, said they were studying the offer.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories