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Coup Leader Takes Over Mauritania

New law confers presidential powers to head of military junta

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 12, 2008 9:38 AM CDT

(AP) – The military junta that overthrew Mauritania's government last week adopted a law today transferring the power of the presidency to the head of the junta. A statement by the junta blames the deteriorating condition of daily life in Mauritania, the president's stonewalling of various government institutions, and his firing of the chiefs of the armed forces for sparking the overthrow.

The 11-article law, released in a communique, confers the rights of the country's highest office to the army general who led the coup last week. Soldiers detained President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, his prime minister, and three other high-ranking officials an hour after the president announced the firing of the country's top four generals.

Supporters of ousted Mauritanian president Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, cheer and wave pictures of their ousted leader, from a balcony during a demonstration. (AP Photo/Candace Feit)

The leader of Mauritania's military coup Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz talks to the media in the city of Nouakchott, Mauritania, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Candace Feit)

Mauritanian soldiers stand guard outside an army barracks in the city of Nouakchott, Mauritania, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Candace Feit)

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Coup Leader Takes Over Mauritania

New law confers presidential powers to head of military junta

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Coup Leader Takes Over Mauritania

New law confers presidential powers to head of military junta

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Senegal • Mauritania • coup d'etat • Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Army Seizes Power in Mauritania

African nation's first democratically elected president captive

Maldives Ex-President: I Was Ousted at Gunpoint

Protests erupt after Mohamed Nasheed's speech

President's Power Grab Riles Once-Stable Senegal

African nation faces rare unrest over leader's bid for third term

Bangladesh Military: We Foiled Coup

Military officers 'with extreme religious views' were reportedly involved

N'Dour Halts Music Career in Bid to Be Senegal Prez

Global musical celeb changing his tune, running in next month's race

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?