BBC News Online: World: Africa

Mauritanian opposition leader arrested

The opposition leader in Mauritania, Ahmed Ould Daddah has been arrested.

Spokespersons for the opposition Union of Democratic Forces party UFD, said Mr Daddah was taken from the party's headquarters by police.

An Interior Ministry spokesman said Mr Daddah had been detained because of recent remarks which openly incited violence against the regime.

The government has banned an opposition public meeting scheduled for Wednesday, during which Mr Ould Daddah was expected to raise the issue of the acquisition of wealth by associates of the country's President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service