OIC Group meets Mauritanian Foreign Minister in Geneva

Geneva, September 13, SPA -- Upon the request of the Permanent
Mission of Mauritania to the United Nations Office in Geneva, and in
line with other regional groupings such as African Group and NAM
(Non-aligned Movement), the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference)
Group in Geneva has received Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of new Government established after military take
over in Mauritania, according to a press release of the OIC issued in
Jeddah yesterday.


During the meeting held at the weekend, which was chaired by the
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Office in
Geneva, Mohamed Mahmoud, Ould Mohamedou has briefed the participants
about the latest development of the political situation in Mauritania
and the engagement of the military Government to promote human
rights, rule of law and democratic transition.


It should be noted that the stand of the Organization of the Islamic
Conference concerning the military take over in Mauritania was
clearly stated by the OIC Secretary General in an earlier press
release in which Ekmeleddin lhsanoglu expressed his concern over the
military take over staged against the democratically elected
government in Mauritania and detention of President and Prime
Minister by the army officers.


The Secretary General had also stated that he was particularly
dismayed by this development as Mauritania had been exhibiting
exemplary development towards the entrenchment of democracy and rule
of law in the country with the visible positive role and support of
its armed forces. Therefore, he had said, he would have wished that
all matters related to the conduct of political process in the
country to be handled within the democratic principles and supremacy
of law.


He had reminded that all Mauritanians and international community,
as well as the OIC, had invested heavily in the democracy project in
Mauritania and hoped that the armed forces would continue their
positive role in favor of democracy.


He had called for the restoration of democratic process as soon as
possible including an immediate release of the President, Prime
Minister and other members of the government.