Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008

Police fire tear gas on Mauritanian demonstrators

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) - A day after army officers staged a coup in Mauritania, police have fired tear gas against protesters who are calling for the reinstatement of the country's toppled president.

A military junta took control of the African desert nation Wednesday after seizing President Sidi Cheikh Ould Abdallahi. His whereabouts are still unknown.

About 100 demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament building on Thursday, holding up placards that read, "No to the coup. Yes to our legitimate president."

Earlier Thursday, the junta promised that free and fair elections would be held "as soon as possible" in Mauritania.

2008-08-07     13:45:14 GMT

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