MAURITANIA: Western nations will support the military junta that staged a bloodless coup in Mauritania if it shows it can live up to its promise of democratic elections in two years, diplomats said yesterday.
A 17-member military council seized power in the Islamic republic last week, ending two decades of authoritarian rule by president Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, and promising presidential elections within two years.
Jubilant residents took to the streets of the capital Nouakchott, while the opposition and even President Taya's own political party swiftly backed the junta's plans.
However, the EU, US and the African Union among others condemned the coup, with Washington initially calling for President Taya to be restored to power.
"The international community had to condemn the coup out of principle. A coup is a coup. But the team that took over has a lot of support here," said one Western diplomat in Nouakchott. - (Reuters)
