US sanctions for Mauritania junta

Gen Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz has promised elections in 14 months' time

The US has imposed a travel ban on some members of the military government in Mauritania, who overthrew President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in August.

The state department said the unnamed officials would not be allowed to visit the US because they were undermining the "return to constitutional rule".

It also reiterated past calls for the unconditional release of Mr Abdallahi.

Communications Minister Mohamed Abderrahmane Ould Moine said Washington had "incorrectly judged our situation".

He also insisted that Mauritania remained "sufficiently prosperous" to "develop without problems in the event of international sanctions".

Elections organised by the junta can have no legitimacy Mark Boulware US Ambassador to Mauritania

The African Union suspended Mauritania's membership shortly after the coup and had threatened to impose further sanctions if Mr Abdallahi was not freed before 6 October.

Former colonial ruler France and the World Bank also froze some of their aid in response, while the European Union is currently in talks with representatives of the government that could lead to sanctions.

Earlier, US ambassador Mark Boulware told reporters that Washington believed that the elections promised in 14 months' time by military leader Maj-Gen Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz "can have no legitimacy".

Gen Abdelaziz declared himself president of the Higher State Council on 6 August after ousting Mr Abdallahi, the country's first democratically-elected president, in a military coup.