Mauritania junta battles tide of diplomatic outrage

By Vincent Fertey and Ibrahima Sylla

NOUAKCHOTT (Reuters) - The leaders of a coup in Mauritania may have won the support of many local politicians but they face a tide of international outrage for ousting the desert nation's first democratically elected president.

President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi was overthrown and arrested along with his prime minister on Wednesday by the head of his presidential guard, Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz.

Abdelaziz, whom Abdallahi tried to sack along with other top military commanders after weeks of simmering political tensions, set up a "State Council" in Africa's newest oil producer.

In its first decree, the council reversed their sackings.

The coup received the backing of many parliamentarians who hitherto supported Abdallahi but walked out of his PNDD-ADIL party on Monday after weeks of political turmoil.

PNDD-ADIL dissident legislators, some of whom have complained Abdallahi ruled without consulting them, called the coup a step towards stability.

"This is a moment of correction and realignment for us to be able to go forwards towards democracy," said one of them, Moustapha Ould Abeiderrahmane.

The PNDD-ADIL dissidents plan to march on Thursday in a show of support for the new junta.