President detained in Mauritania coup

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

NOUAKCHOTT (AFP) — Troops overthrew Mauritania's president in a military coup on Wednesday after he tried to sack senior army officers accused of being behind a political crisis destabilising the country.

President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi was arrested as troops rolled through the capital Nouakchott and took over the presidential palace and the prime minister's office.

They chased staff from the headquarters of state radio and television, though there was no sign of fighting in the city.

A statement read on public radio said the coup was led by the head of the presidential guard, General Ould Abdel Aziz, who had been sacked earlier in the morning.

The coup leaders formed a Military State Council and immediately annulled the army appointments made...