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Coup in Mauritania may be tied to president's pro-Israel stand
By Yossi Melman

Conflicting reports from Mauritania's capital Nouakchott, have resulted in a muddled picture of the results of a coup against President Maaouya Sid Ahmed Ould Taya, who came to power in a military putsch in 1984.
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Mauritania is one of only three Arab nations to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, and relations between the two countries improved significantly following the Iraq war.

Reports from the Arab-dominated West African country suggested that the coup, which began on Sunday, forced the president to seek refuge at the French embassy in the capital. However, senior government officials maintain that the government forces are still in control.

"There are some small groups fighting in parts of the city, but it is just a question of time," until order is restored, the official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Residents reached by telephone in the capital, Nouakchott, said explosions started at 2 A.M. By midday, they could still hear gunfire and see tanks moving.

However, conflicting reports hold that the armored forces were called in support of the president against insurgents who managed to bomb the presidential palace from the air.

According to some reports, the coup was an attempt by disaffected military officers to overthrow President Taya, and there are claims that they are supported by Islamist supporters angry at a recent government crackdown against extremists.

The government of Mauritania broke off ties with Iraq, and oppressed Islamists who sought to express their sympathy for Saddam Hussein during the U.S.-led operation to oust him from Baghdad
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