Israeli diplomats in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, fear that a mob might assault the embassy and are considering moving to Senegal. The Military Council for Justice and Democracy - the group now leading the country after Wednesday's coup - has asked the police to increase security around the building. Mauritania, along with Egypt and Jordan, is one of the three Arab states officially recognising the state of Israel. The decision to recognise Israel was taken by the former regime which was overthrown in the coup.
| I think of it as kind of a litmus test. If they trash the Israeli embassy or otherwise start making faces at the Zionists, then the coup is pushed by the Islamists and we're going to have trouble. Since they're increasing security around the embassy, I'm still moderately hopeful. If the additional cops disappear in the dead of night or at the approach of a magickally appearing howling mob, then I'm wrong... |
The Mauritanian population strongly opposed the former regime's international policies, in terms of its diplomatic ties with Israel and military cooperation with the United States on the war of terror.
| Pretty categorical statement, that. Are there no Mauritanians to be found who're in favor? Aren't there any who don't care one way or the other? |
Last month Mauritania's foreign minister - Mohamed Vall Ould Bellal - called on Arab countries to build closer diplomatic ties with Israel and contribute to the Middle East peace process. After Wednesday's coup, the people in Mauritania are asking for a change in strategy, demanding the closure of diplomatic relationships with Israel, according to the Al-Quds Al-Arab newspaper.
| Again we have that presumption of unanimity. Surely Mauritania, with the entire continent of Africa between them and Israel and a breath-taking level of poverty and backwardness, has more important things pushing toward the top of the national attention span? |
The Mauritanian population was also critical towards the former regime's cooperation with the US on the war on terror, according to the paper.
| A bit worried, is the Mauritanian population? |
In July, Mauritania hosted the first Sahara anti-terrorism summit attended by its military chiefs, as well as those of Algeria, Mali and Niger - the other countries within whose border the Sahara desert extends - and US military chiefs. The four countries are keen to combat armed Islamic extremist groups crossing their borders, who are operating and carrying out attacks on military personnel in the Sahara. The United States had troops stationed in military bases in Mauritania and Mali three years ago, for the war on terror, helping Mauritanian troops patrol the country's northern border with Algeria. Militants from the Algerian extremist formation, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), use the desert as a logistic base. |