Mauritania's coup leaders have announced they will appoint a government to run the country until new elections, defying a chorus of international demands to restore the first democratically elected president.
Soldiers in the northwest African country toppled Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi on Wednesday after he tried to sack senior officers.
Mr Abdallahi is being held at a secret location. His daughter, released from house arrest with the rest of his family last night, said Mr Abdallahi had been in need of medical attention.
Mauritania spans Arab and black Africa and has been an ally in the US-led war on terror as al-Qaeda has stepped up attacks in the region in recent years. The country is also Africa's newest oil producer although production remains small.
Washington has joined international condemnation of Mr Abdallahi's ouster, demanding the restoration of his government and announcing the suspension yesterday of non-humanitarian aid.
The European Union also threatened to cut aid. The United Nations, Arab League and African Union also condemned the coup.
Presidential guard chief Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who launched the coup after Mr Abdallahi sacked him, and other top military commanders, has formed an 11-man military junta.
The self-styled "High State Council" pledged to hold a free presidential election as soon as possible. It gave no date.
In a separate communique published last night by state news agency, the junta said it would assume the powers of the president until the election and would appoint a government to rule the country in the meantime under Mr Abdel Aziz's authority.