The AP is reporting that Mauritania's ruling party claims to have suppressed an attempted coup by military officers and radical Islamists. Details remain sketchy.

Ruling party officials blamed military officers, civilians and radical Islamists in the alleged plot against President Maaoya Sid'Ahmed Ould Taya's government, which has allied itself with Washington in the war on terror.

Authorities arrested at least two military officers for planning a violent campaign that had the ultimate aim of wresting power from Taya, four officials of Taya's party said. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed top figures were targeted for assassination, including Taya.

Mauritania is an Arab country in West Africa, including much Sahara desert territory. Recently, it has developed oil reserves of its own, and has changed its geo—strategic allegiances accordingly.

Taya has held power since December 1984, when he took control in a military coup. He withstood a June 2003 coup attempt that triggered days of fighting in the capital. Members of his ruling party blamed civilians and Islamists allegedly involved in that plot with the latest alleged plan.
Some in the opposition accuse Taya's administration of exaggerating any threat from Muslim hard—liners as a pretext to clamp down on the opposition and ingratiate himself with the United States.

Taya's decision to ally himself with the United States in the war on terror was a dramatic change from 1991, when he condemned the U.S.—led coalition that ousted Saddam Hussein's soldiers from Kuwait in the Gulf War.

Hat tip to Ed
Posted by Thomas  8 9 04