Mauritania army names ministers

Mr Laghdaf was named prime minister last month

Mauritania's military leaders have appointed a government, weeks after toppling the country's first democratically elected president.

Most of the ministers named are supporters of the 6 August coup led by Gen Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz.

The ministers for defence, the economy, finance and justice retained their posts in the new cabinet.

The transitional government is meant to stay in power until new elections. No date has been set for the vote.

The cabinet will be led by Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, a former diplomat who had earlier been named prime minister.

Three ministers named were from Mauritania's main opposition party and the second largest party in parliament, the Union of Democratic Forces, but the party said they would be considered to have "automatically resigned" if they took the posts.

Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou, a former university professor in the US, was named as foreign minister.

A BBC correspondent in Mauritania says the military rulers have avoided making controversial appointments because they are concerned about international condemnation of the coup, and the suspension of some aid by the United States and France.

Though the coup drew international condemnation, it was greeted with a mixed reaction within Mauritania.

The country's ousted president, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, and former prime minister Yahia Ould Ahmed El-Waqef were detained during the coup. Both are still being held.