Hundreds of people have taken to the streets in Mauritania's capital, Nouakchott, calling for better living conditions and more jobs.
Such demonstrations are rare in Mauritania.
Several protesters in a crowd estimated at around 1,000 people demanded the departure of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, but they were in the minority and there was only a light security presence.
The protest was peaceful.
Ahead of the rally, Muaritania's prime minister, Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, said the government will create thousands of new jobs, develop infrastructure, and boost local food production capacity to deal with a recent hike in prices.
The demonstration comes against a backdrop of antigovernment protests in North Africa and the Middle East that were unleashed after successful revolts in Tunisia and Egypt.
compiled from Reuters reports
Such demonstrations are rare in Mauritania.
Several protesters in a crowd estimated at around 1,000 people demanded the departure of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, but they were in the minority and there was only a light security presence.
The protest was peaceful.
Ahead of the rally, Muaritania's prime minister, Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, said the government will create thousands of new jobs, develop infrastructure, and boost local food production capacity to deal with a recent hike in prices.
The demonstration comes against a backdrop of antigovernment protests in North Africa and the Middle East that were unleashed after successful revolts in Tunisia and Egypt.
compiled from Reuters reports
