afrol News, 5 June - The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed yesterday’s signing of an agreement between parties in Mauritania, calling it a “solid basis” for the West African nation’s return to constitutional order and the consolidation of democracy.

President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallah, who was elected after multi-party democratic elections in 2007, was overthrown by the country’s military in a move that was widely condemned, including by the Secretary-General and the United Nations Security Council.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson yesterday, Mr Ban “congratulates the parties for the spirit of compromise demonstrated during the negotiations” which wrapped up in the capital, Nouakchott.

He also commended those assisting in the talks, particularly President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, the Chairman of the African Union (AU) and members of the facilitation team, including the International Contact Group and Said Djinnit, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa.

The statement noted that Mr Ban will closely follow developments in Mauritania leading up to the presidential elections scheduled for 18 July.

The Mauritania's military rulers and the opposition leaders signed an agreement to end a political crisis, under which the former junta leader General Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz is suspending his campaign in the presidential elections initially set for 6 June.

The deal struck after a marathon talks involving local parties and the international mediators also envisages the formation of a unity government.

The Mauritanian opposition, spearheaded by the country's democratically elected but ousted President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, had threatened to boycott the elections, claiming they were only being organised to legitimise the power of general Ould Abdelaziz.

The general, who took power in an August 2008 coup, was nominated by his military junta to contest the polls, and had earlier this year, stepped down to run for president.

By staff writer

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