The military junta that ousted Mauritania's president freed the former leader Thursday in response to international pressure, police and his family said. Mohamed Ould Cheikh, a top police official, said former President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi had been placed under surveillance at his home in the town of Lemden, south of the capital Nouakchott. Abdallahi's family confirmed his release, the AP reported.
Cheikh said Abdallahi's release came in response to an ultimatum from the European Union. The United States also called for his release.
The Aug. 6 coup came after the president and prime minister fired the country's four top military officials. Coup leader Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz had accused Abdallahi of being soft on terrorism and freeing from jail radical Muslims who had been implicated in plotting attacks on Western embassies. © 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
