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Mauritania general gets backing Mauritania general gets backing
(about 5 hours later)
The new military ruler in Mauritania has had been boosted by support from many of the country's politicians.The new military ruler in Mauritania has had been boosted by support from many of the country's politicians.
More than two-third of the members of parliament, and the same proportion of senators, have put their names to a communique supporting the coup. More than two-thirds of the members of parliament, and the same proportion of senators, have put their names to a statement supporting the coup.
Last week's coup was condemned by the international community, but has got a more mixed reaction inside the country.Last week's coup was condemned by the international community, but has got a more mixed reaction inside the country.
There have been more than 10 coup attempts, several of them successful, over the last three decades.There have been more than 10 coup attempts, several of them successful, over the last three decades.
Seventy of the country's 95 parliament members and 40 out of 56 senators have put their names to a communique supporting the coup. Seventy of the country's 95 parliament members and 40 out of 56 senators have put their names to the statement supporting General Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz's takeover.
The politicians said the army had merely done its duty in removing President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, who they accused of acting anti-constitutionally.The politicians said the army had merely done its duty in removing President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, who they accused of acting anti-constitutionally.
They called on the international community to accept the undemocratic change of power in the interests of the stability of the country.They called on the international community to accept the undemocratic change of power in the interests of the stability of the country.
The international community has reacted strongly against the coup, and not just with words: the African Union suspended Mauritania, and America and France froze some aid programmes. Opposition
This latest show of support by the elected representatives of the people will go some way to boosting the credibility of the coup leader, General Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz. The international community has reacted strongly against the coup.
Some political parties are against the coup, and have held rallies to call for the return of the ousted President Abdallahi. The African Union suspended Mauritania, and the United States and France froze some aid programmes.
But this communique makes it clear most politicians support the coup leaders. On Tuesday, the African affairs minister in neighbouring Algeria told a delegate from Mauritania that the country should return to the constitutional system.
Some believe the former president's inability to deal with rising food prices and the persistent allegations of corruption against his wife made him unfit for office, while others are clearly currying favour with the new military leadership. class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7547757.stm">'I fear for my father, the president' class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7545934.stm">What next for coup leaders? class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7550439.stm">Taking coup in their stride
Some nine political parties in Mauritania have expressed opposition to the coup.
They have held rallies to call for the return of the ousted President Abdallahi, who was taken captive during the military takeover.
On Wednesday, dozens of women were reportedly dispersed by teargas as they protested against the country's new military rulers in Nouakchott.
But the show of support by the parliamentarians will go some way to boosting the credibility of the coup leader, General Abdelaziz, says the BBC's James Copnall in the capital, Nouakchott.
It makes it clear most politicians back the coup leaders, he says.
Some believe the former president's inability to deal with rising food prices and the persistent allegations of corruption against his wife made him unfit for office, while others are clearly currying favour with the new military leadership, our correspondent adds.
The statement said that MPs and others had tried but failed to "lessen the stubbornness of the former president, who did not listen to his constituents," according to the Associated Press news agency.
General Abdelaziz has been holding meetings with a number of high-profile politicians, as he attempts to form a new government, a further attempt to increase his legitimacy.General Abdelaziz has been holding meetings with a number of high-profile politicians, as he attempts to form a new government, a further attempt to increase his legitimacy.