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Military Officers in Mauritania Announce Overthrow of President Taya
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(http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=E730DC:3919ACA

Announcement was made Wednesday on state-run media by group
identifying itself as Military Council for Justice and Democracy 





Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya (File photo)Military officers in
Mauritania say they have overthrown President Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya.

The announcement was made Wednesday on state-run media by a group
identifying itself as the Military Council for Justice and Democracy.
It also said the army will run the country for two years.

Soldiers seized control of Mauritania's state radio and television
buildings earlier in the day while the president was out of the
country.

Troops took control of other key buildings, and gunfire was heard near
the presidential palace.

President Taya has meanwhile landed in neighboring Niger. He had been
in Saudi Arabia for the funeral of King Fahd.

Mr. Taya has survived several coup attempts during his 20-year reign.
In June 2003, insurgents came close to overthrowing the president
during several days of street fighting in the capital.

Mr. Taya has recently cracked down on his opponents, including members
of Islamist groups and the army.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.


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