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Mauritania Army Chief killed

Nouakchott (MAURITANIA): Heavy explosions and machine-gun fire shook the capital of this Arab-dominated west African nation as Mauritania's pro-West leader battled a coup attempt. The Army Chief of Staff, Mohammed Lamine Ould N'Deyane, was killed during the fighting, military sources said on condition of anonymity. The circumstances were not immediately clear. The fighting, which began on Monday, followed a Government crackdown on Islamic activists since the U.S.-led war in Iraq. As night fell, the President, Maaouya Sid'Ahmed Ould Taya's whereabouts remained unknown and it was not clear who controlled the city. Coup forces claimed to have taken the presidential palace, state radio station and other key buildings. But Government officials insisted authorities had the situation under control and that the President was directing efforts to restore order from a secure location.

— AP

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