Mauritania Watch: Envoys Received

I'm not sure what to think of the developments in Mauritania. Read for yourself.

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) -- Thousands rallied Thursday to support the military junta that toppled Mauritania's pro-Western president a day earlier, as the African country's top leader met with the U.S. and French ambassadors.

The meetings with the envoys of former colonial power France and counter-terrorism partner the U.S. were among the first Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall held, and appeared designed to assure the international community it had nothing to fear from the new regime.

The junta also issued a statement announcing the dissolution of the country's bicameral legislature.

Western and other African nations and the United Nations condemned the coup. The African Union's Peace and Security Council suspended Mauritania Thursday until "the restoration of constitutional order in the country."

But many Mauritanians applauded the ouster of President Maaouya Taya, saying he was a brutal dictator and that they hoped the junta would keep its promise to usher in democracy. Taya was out of the country when the junta struck.

Tens of thousands of people swept through Nouakchott on Thursday on foot and in cars to express their support for the junta. Some carried huge portraits of Vall.

I'll keep you posted. This could turn into a fascinating case study of military coups in Africa, which are a good thing to have a close working knowledge of. Also, there's this about the ousted guy.

The former president of the West African state of Mauritania has said he was stunned by the coup that ousted him from power.
Army officers overthrew President Maaouiya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya in a bloodless revolt on Wednesday.

Speaking for the first time since the coup, Mr Taya said he had been shocked to find out who was behind it.

He was toppled by the former security chief and close colleagues, Colonel Ely Ould Mohammed Vall.

"My situation reminds me of the old adage: 'God, save me from my friends, I'll take care of my enemies'," President Taya told Radio France Internationale from Niger.

"I was stunned by the coup d'etat [...] and even more so when I heard who were the authors," Mr Taya said.

I think that "colleagues" should be singular in this case; you'll have to excuse the BBC, as their writers and editors can't be bothered to proofread.