Yahya Ould Ahmed Waghef, 03 Jun 2008

Police in Mauritania have re-arrested former Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed Waghef.

Representatives from his political party say he was detained Thursday in the northern town of Nouadhibou.

Mr. Waghef had been leading almost daily protests to reinstate President Sidi Ould Cheik Abdallahi, who was ousted in the August 6 coup.

The prime minister was arrested after the coup but released five days later. 

The coup led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, took place after the president announced the dismissal of top army officers. 

Military leaders say the takeover was necessary because the president had mismanaged the economy and was lenient with terrorists.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.