The army claims it has seized power in Mauritania, ending the rule of President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya. Taya was out of the country at the time the army took power.
Despite condemnation from the African Union which would not condone the use of force, hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital city of Nouakchott to celebrate. People honked their horns and yelled, 'Praise Be to God' while making victory signs to each other.
The group seizing power released a statement over state run media saying, 'The armed forces and security forces have unanimously decided to put a definitive end to the totalitarian activities of the defunct regime under which our people have suffered so much over recent years.' The statement was signed by a 'Military Council for Justice and Democracy.'
'This council pledges before the Mauritanian people to create favorable circumstances for an open and transparent democracy,' the statement, broadcast on state media said.
Taya had been in Saudi Arabia to attend the funeral of King Fahd. He arrived in Niamey, the capital of Niger shortly after reports of the attempted coup began.
According to a report published by Reuters, Colonel Mohamed Ould Abdel-Aziz was believed to be involved in the coup d'etat.
Taya himself seized power in a coup in 1984. He initially supported Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein but later turned towards the west and became in ally of the United States and Israel. In fact, Mauritania is one of only three members of the Arab League who have normal diplomatic ties with Israel.
The government under Taya was also very strict in its treatment of Islamic militants. Members of Islamic opposition groups had reportedly been working with the Algeria-based Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), which is an ally of al-Qaeda.
Previous coup attempts had been made in 2003 and 2004 but the army was able to defeat the rebels.
