An international Arabic newspaper has made a public apology to the prime minister of Mauritania over claims that he agreed to let Israel bury its nuclear waste in Mauritania.
The prime minister, El Avia Ould Mohamed Khouna, brought libel proceedings against the newspaper, Al Quds Al Arabi, in the High Court in London where it is published.
The paper retracted claims that Sheikh Khouna had entered into clandestine negotiations with Israel while on official business last year, shortly before he became prime minister.
Mauritania was criticised by the Arab League last month, when it established diplomatic relations with Israel. It has since broken off relations with Iraq.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
Country profiles
Dam builders charged in bribery scandal
Burundi camps 'too dire' to help
Sudan power struggle denied
Animal airlift planned for Congo
Spy allegations bug South Africa
Senate leader's dismissal 'a good omen'
Tatchell calls for rights probe into Mugabe
Zimbabwe constitution: Just a bit of paper?
South African gays take centre stage
Nigeria's ruling party's convention
UN to return to Burundi
Bissau military hold fire
Nile basin agreement on water cooperation
Congo Brazzaville defends peace initiative
African Media Watch
Liberia names new army chief