Mauritania recalls Israel envoy
2009-01-05 22:28
Nouakchott - The government of Mauritania is recalling its ambassador from Israel in the aftermath of the invasion of Gaza.
Mauritania is one of only three Arab League countries to have diplomatic ties with the Jewish state.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Babah Ould Sidi Abdalla said on Monday that Mauritania's ambassador in Tel Aviv had been ordered to return "for consultations".
Abdalla declined to comment further and did not explicitly say the move was made in protest.
On Sunday, security forces fired tear gas to disperse people in Mauritania's capital who were protesting the incursion into Gaza.
At least 10 civilians and several riot police were injured and hospitalised, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.
- AP