Nouakchott (Mauritania), August 7
Leaders of a military coup in Mauritania today promised to hold a ''free and transparent'' presidential election as soon as possible, defying foreign calls to reinstate the country's first freely elected President.

Soldiers ousted President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi yesterday after he tried to dismiss military chiefs widely suspected of supporting the president's opponents in a political crisis in Africa's newest oil producer.

It was Africa's first successful coup since some of the same soldiers ousted the Islamic republic's previous president three years and three days earlier, and it drew international condemnation and demands for Abdallahi's return. But many local politicians threw their weight behind the coup.

Some planned a march today in support of the ''High State Council'' set up by presidential guard chief Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, who led the coup after Abdallahi tried to sack him. The 11-strong junta said it would work with Mauritanian politicians and civic groups to organise a presidential election ''to renew the democratic process on a sustainable basis”. ''These elections, which will be organised in as short a time as possible, will be free and transparent,'' it said in a statement published by national news agency AMI.

The council pledged to respect treaties and other commitments binding Mauritania, which spans Arab and black Africa at the western edge of the Sahara and has close ties with many Arab states. It is also one of the few Arab countries to have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Abdallahi, who was arrested yesterday with his prime minister and interior minister, won elections last year after a 2005 coup, also instigated by Abdelaziz, which ended years of dictatorship under President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya.

Meanwhile, Washington demanded Abdallahi be released from arrest and restored to power, warning international aid could be cut. ''Our policy is that this action could have a very serious impact on our aid and cooperation with Mauritania,'' said Russell Brooks, a spokesman for the US State Department's Bureau of African Affairs. The European Union sent a similar message. — Reuters

Kathmandu, August 7
About 2,000 Tibetans and their Nepali supporters took part in anti-China protests here today, a day before the Olympic Games open in Beijing.

Shaven-headed nuns in saffron and monks in burgundy robes were among protesters who staged a peaceful demonstration in a Kathmandu suburb.

Many held strings of beads and hummed prayers for ''world peace'', sitting in an open field as dozens of police kept watch.

''Many Tibetans, including monks and nuns, are tortured and imprisoned by China,'' said Karma, a 54-year-old nun, holding a yellow and white Buddhist flag.

''We are protesting for their release and appealing to the international community to help release these religious people,'' she said.

More than 20,000 Tibetan refugees live in Nepal since they fled their homeland following a failed uprising against the Chinese rule in 1959.

They have been holding regular protests after deadly anti-government riots broke out in the Tibetan capital Lhasa and other areas in China mid-March.

Protesters carried the Nepali national flag and Buddhist flags.They wore yellow jackets which read ''Long live His Holiness, the Dalai Lama'' and ''Stop cultural genocide in Tibet''.

Nepal says Tibet is part of China, an important trade partner and aid donor, and does not allow anti-China activities. Organisers said the police tore up a huge portrait of the Dalai Lama as the exiles prepared to stage a hunger strike to draw attention of the international community on the situation in Tibet. — Reuters

An allegation that some members of Parliament had been paid Rs 25 million each to vote for President Pervez Musharraf as President created ruckus in the upper house here.

MMA’s Kamran Murtaza said on October 6 when Musharraf sought election from outgoing assemblies for another five-year term, many MPs were paid Rs 25 million each to vote for him. While the Opposition boycotted the poll, Musharraf wanted to ensure that he gets majority votes. Those who had gone abroad were told to come back while the sick were brought from hospitals.

Murtaza, while claiming that he had evidence, said he was prepared to divulge all the names in the Senate. But Senator Safdar Abbaasi ruled that. Murtaza could provide the names to a panel of the senate after some senators said their privilege had been breached because Murtaza had put in doubt integrity of every senator. Senator Pari Gul Agha (PML-Q) moved a privilege motion and demanded proof from Murtaza, who insisted that he stood by his statement.

Meanwhile, Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting chairman Liaquat Bangalzai sought to move a privilege motion against Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) director general Ghulam Murtaza Solangi that he made a telephone call to Solangi as he wanted to discuss a matter relating to the PBC. Solangi did not respond.

Solangi explained in writing that the senator had asked him to appoint his nominee in radio station in his constituency which he did but later also asked him to provide an official residence to him which he had no authority to do and declined.

BRIEFLY

UNITED NATIONS
Irish woman to head UN Legal Dept: Patricia O’Brien (51) of Ireland has become the first woman to head the UN Legal Department. She replaces Nicolas Michel of Switzerland. The new under-secretary-general for legal affairs and UN legal counsel brings to the job “an extensive experience of law and international affairs to integrate the legal dimension in the internal decision-making processes,” UN spokesperson Michele Montas said announcing her appointment. — PTI

LONDON
Roy’s tomb repaired: A major restoration and repair work has been carried out on the tomb of Indian social reformer Raja Rammohun Roy at the UK’s Bristol city, where he died of meningitis. Carla contractor, a local historian who had interacted closely with the Indian high commission and others to preserve and cherish Roy's association with Bristol, said the restoration and repair was complete. “It has taken 20 years to get to this stage,” she added. — PTI

WASHINGTON
Obama aide quits: An attorney who volunteered to help Barack Obama improve his relationship with Muslim and Arab-Americans had resigned from the campaign amid questions about his connection to a fundamentalist Imam. Mazen Asbahi started as the campaign's outreach coordinator on July 26, and he resigned in a letter to the campaign on Monday. Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said the campaign was searching for a new volunteer coordinator to replace Asbahi. — AP

NEW YORK
UN stamps on Olympics: The UN Postal Administration (UNPA) will issue six commemorative stamps to coincide with the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing on Friday. World-renowned American artist Romero Britto has been commissioned by the UNPA to create half-dozen original pieces of art reflecting the theme “Sport for Peace.” The stamps will be released on Friday. — PTI

ISLAMABAD
Pak film set for release in India: As tensions mount between India and Pakistan, the release in both countries of a Pakistani film, Ramchand Pakistani, about a young boy held in an Indian jail is being hailed as a welcome boost for cultural ties. It opened in Pakistan on August 1 and in India it will release on August 22. “The film promotes compassion, respect for each other, peace and friendship,” said Jabbar, who was the information minister in slain former premier Benazir Bhutto’s first government. — AFP