Mauritania maybe forced to hold elections in May 30
By agencies
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania - Participants at the National Dialogue which ended here Tuesday afternoon have recommended that presidential election be held on 30 May to return the country to civilian rule.
The participants also drew up a road map to be implemented during the transition period.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mauritanian military leader, Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, promised that the ruling High Council of State would strictly implement all the decisions of the forum.
"The door remains open for the participation of all in order to determine the future of Mauritania," he said.
Opened on 27 December, the forum was attended by some 1,500 delegates from political parties, civil society organizations and the parliament, among other groups.
However, the proceedings were boycotted by the National Front for the Defense of Democracy (FNDD), an alliance of 13 political parties opposed to the putsch which took place on 6 August 2008.