Arab caution, international rejection to Mauritania's coupe

The coupe in Mauritania seemed to have surprised the Arab states. So far, no comment was issued from any Arab capital concerning it.

Washington by its state department spokesman Tom Casey called for the return back of the Weld al-Taye regime, deploring the military coupe.

Casey considered Weld al-Taye as "the legitimate President for Mauritania," saying that "In our opinion, there is no reason to make an act outside the constitution." The spokeswoman for the French foreign ministry said that her country recalls its principled position which condemns any form of assuming authority by force of power, and calls for honoring democracy and the legal constitutional framework." The spokeswoman said that Paris follows up closely the prevailing condition in Mauritania and that it is closely contacting its partners.

For its part, the Spanish government expressed its concern "over the situation in Mauritania." The statement by the foreign ministry said that "Madrid follows up closely developments in Mauritania and expresses its concern over the situation in this friendly country, which is linked to Spain by historical relations and relations for a better future." Chairman of the African commission Alfa Omar Konari on Wednesday deplored "confiscation of the authority in Mauritania."

He added that the statement of the chairman of the African commission renewed the rejection of the African for humanitarian Aid and Development Affairs, Louis Michael deplores the coupe in Mauritania. The UN secretary general Kofi Annan expressed his regret over the coupe. His spokesman Steven De Jarik said that Annan "condemns any attempt to make change by unconstitutional means in any country, whatsoever."

The European commission denounced "confiscation of the authority by means of power in Mauritania."

The statement read that the commissioner Louis Michael "deplores confiscation of the authority by means of force and calls for honoring democracy and legal constitutional framework."

News Agencies