Mauritania to cut ties with Israel

Mauritania's decision to recall its ambassador to Tel Aviv earlier this week marked the "first step" to cutting ties with the Jewish state, an adviser to the country's military junta said on Saturday. "Mauritania's decision to recall its ambassador in Israel is a first step towards severing ties with this aggressive entity," said Cheikh Ben Horma Ould Ben Babana, adviser to the president of Mauritania's ruling High Council of State.

"This relationship between Mauritania and the Israeli entity disturbs and embarrasses Mauritanians," Ben Babana told reporters in Cairo, according to Reuters. Mauritania said on Monday it had recalled its ambassador for consultations, days after protesters took to the streets of the capital Nouakchott to demand the country cut diplomatic ties with Israel over its military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Ties between Israel and Mauritania were the legacy of a former regime and had been established for "personal reasons", Ben Babana said.