- The daughter of Mauritanian President has confirmed reports of a military coup d'etat in the West African country.
Amal Mint Cheikh Abdallahi told 'RFI' that President Sidi Ould Abdallahi has just been arrested by a commando that went away with him.
She said the arrest of her father at the presidency symbolised "a real coup d'etat." She said armed armed men are still in control of the presidency, preventing her from leaving the building. Amal said she could not hear the firing of any shots during her father's arrest.
Armed renegade soldiers also arrested Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed Waghf and shut down state radio and television on Wednesday.
Informed sources blamed the coup d'etat on the firing of four senior military officials.
Hours after the coup story emerged, a brief announcement was read over state television, saying the state council will be headed by the Chief of Presidential Guards, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
The coup was announced lawmakers have accused the President of corruption and bad governance, with 69% of them calling for his resignation.
Mr. Abdallahi, 68, was elected to office after he had defeated a long-standing opposition leader, Ahmed Ould Daddah, in the second round polls in March 2007. He took oath of office on 19 April.
He took over power from a military junta that presided over a two-year transition period. The junta that overthrew President Sidi Ould Taya prepared the country for democracy.
Until the historic election of President Abdallahi, Mauritanians had not enjoyed free and fair elections for more than 40 years.
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