Mauritania appoints new PM

2005-08-07 22:30

Nouakchott - Five days after seizing power in a coup, Mauritania's military rulers on Sunday picked a new transitional prime minister, a move seen as the first step toward a promised transition to full democracy within two years.

Sidy Mohamed Ould Boubacar, a leader of the former ruling Social Democratic Republican Party (PRDS), was appointed prime minister under a decree issued by Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, who led a bloodless coup on Wednesday and now heads the Military Council for Justice and Democracy in power.

Ould Boubacar replaces Sghair Ould M'Bareck, who had been kept on from the previous regime bout resigned earlier Sunday.

The new premier is no stranger to the post, having served as prime minister under ousted President Maaouiya Ould Taya between 1992 and 1996, and later as ambassador to France.

Secured

Also on Sunday, the new regime, who have secured the backing of Islamic groups in the country, freed around 20 alleged Islamic extremists jailed by the ousted regime, including a leader with alleged ties to an Algerian group that has links with al-Qaeda.

The released prisoners were greeted by several hundred supporters when they left prison and joined a celebratory parade of cars through the streets of Nouakchott, the capital.

Islamic leaders have pledged their support to the new leaders, claiming persecution under the two-decade rule of Ould Taya - who himself seized power in a coup.

The new regime has also dissolved parliament, promising to hold a referendum on a revised constitution within a year, followed by presidential and parliamentary elections that should take place within two years at the most.

Under a constitutional charter adopted on Saturday, the Military Council leader exercises executive power and appoints the prime minister and members of the transitional government.

- AFP