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Mauritania

Mauritanian coup leaders in talks to form new government

Mauritania's military leaders have been talking with political parties to form a new government, after overthrowing the country's first democratically elected president.

Coup leader Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has been meeting various parties since Tuesday. Officials said Wednesday that some of the parties have rejected invitations to participate in a new government.

Mauritania's military leaders passed a law this week giving themselves presidential powers until elections are held.

The international community has condemned the coup. Algeria joined the critics Wednesday, demanding the restoration of Mauritania's constitutional institutions.

Abdel Aziz says one of the reasons he deposed President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi was because he was too lenient on terrorists.

Judicial officials announced Wednesday that at least three people are being held on terrorism charges.

The officials said the three have been charged with belonging to an organization created to carry out terrorist acts. They did not say which organization the men allegedly are affiliated with, or when they were arrested.

Al-Qaida's North African branch criticized Mauritania's coup leaders this week, accusing them of acting with the approval of the United States, France and Israel. The group called for a holy war in Mauritania.