Eu Threatens To Freeze Aid To Mauritania

Brussels - The European Commission on Monday threatened to freeze its non-humanitarian aid to Mauritania following the recent appointment of a new prime minister by the country's military junta.

In a statement, the EU's executive in charge of development and humanitarian aid, Louis Michel, said the appointment of Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, a former ambassador to the EU in Brussels, was "regrettable.

"The commission views the junta's coup of August 6 as a violation of the country's commitments with the EU to respect human rights, uphold democratic principles and the rule of law.