Ruling military junta release former president from house arrest

On 13 November 2008 the ruling military junta released former president Sidi Abdallahi from house arrest where he had been held since the August 2008 coup that toppled his government. Sources indicated that the president is currently in his hometown of Lemden, located south of the capital, and remains under surveillance. The ruling military junta had been facing mounting local and international pressure to release the former president, including a recent deadline set for his release by the European Union. Upon his release, Abdallahi stated that he considers himself the rightful president of Mauritania.