Mauritanian Army Chief Killed in Failed Coup: Report

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, June 10, 2003

Mauritanian Army Chief Killed in Failed Coup: Report

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Mauritanian Army Chief of Staff Mohamed Lemine Ould N'Diayane was killed in a failed attempt to overthrow President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya after apparently refusing to surrender to the insurgents, a BBC report said on Tuesday morning.

Shooting had died down by Monday nightfall in Mauritania's capital of Nouakchott, with all the rebelled soldiers having surrendered to the troops loyal to the president after two days offighting that left scores wounded.

Addressing the nation over state radio on Monday, the presidentpraised soldiers loyal to him for being able to "face he most difficult conditions in their service to the nation."

It was reported that the leader of the coup attempt was Sala Ould Henena, a former officer who was dismissed from the army for stirring opposition to Israeli links. They believed he was killed in the fighting, but there was no independent confirmation.

The coup took place at 1:50 a.m. (0150 GMT) on Sunday morning around Taya's presidential residence. The exchange of gunfire continued until about 6:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) before some rebelled Mauritanian government troops taking part in the coup were defeated.

The attempted coup happened five months ahead of the presidential election in the west African country.

Taya came into power through a coup in December 1984. He won the presidential election in 1992 and was reelected in 1997.

Taya has announced that he will participate in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for Nov. 7 this year.

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