Military coupe in Mauritania

Units of the Presidential Guards in Mauritania on Wednesday morning took control of vital installations in the capital Nouakchott.

The French News Agency said that officers in the Presidential Guards are leading a coupe attempt against President Mu'aweya Weld Seidi Ahmad al-Taye, who is currently outside the country.

The Mauritanian journalist, Mahmoudi Muhammad, said that the coupe attempt is led by the commander of the Presidential Guards, Col. Muhammad Weld Abdul Aziz, and the director of the national security Col. Ala' Bin Muhammad Faal, noting that a statement will be issued later "via radio and TV over the coupe."

Well-informed sources in Nouakchott confirmed the detention of the commander of the national army chief Col. Al-Arabi Weld Jeddin and commander of the national police Seidi Einena Weld Abeyeh.

The soldiers who were deployed in several strategic points at buildings and army headquarters and the leadership of the army and police national guards, the airport, the radio station and the TV who have not broadcasted their regular programs in the morning.

Meantime, witnesses said that fire exchange sounds were heard in the surrounding of the presidential palace which was controlled by the guards and closed the doors leading to it and to the headquarters of the ministries.

The military council which toppled the regime of President Mu'aweya Weld al-Taye of Mauritania chose Col. Ali Weld Muhamad Faal as its president. This selection came amid an Arab and international caution and an American rejection for the coupe.

The chairman of the coupe military council is known for being very close to the toppled President Weld al-Taye, and that he backed him upon assuming the authority in a military coupe on December 12, 1984.

Col. Muhammad Faal ( 55 year old) who is known for his calm, has been the director general for national security ( police). Several military sources said that the various Mauritanian military contingents have respect for him..

Among members of the military council for justice and democracy, tolled 18 officers, is Col. Abdul Rahman Weld Bu Baker, assistant for the army chief and Col. Muhammad Abdul Aziz the commander of the republican guards contingent.

The council is also composed of Col. Naghro Flex, one of senior army chief officers, Col. Muhammad Weld Muhammad Aznaki the commander of the 6th military zone in Nouakchott, and Col. Muhammad Weld Abdi, a former assistant for al-Taye'.

Meantime, witnesses said that they saw several policemen congratulating the citizens "over the success of the coupe." Sources of the Mauritanian opposition abroad said that "the coupe against President Weld Taye has succeeded." These developments came while the Mauritanian president is currently outside the country, attending the funeral and offering condolences on the death of King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz.

Worthy mentioning that Mauritania witnessed several coupe attempts against President Weld al-Taye in the two past years but all of these attempts failed.

News Agencies