Mauritiania - RFD reocognizes Aziz - Unified by Al Qaeda

Mauritania - Mauritania's main opposition Rally for Democratic Forces (RDF) finally recognizes the election of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, after disputing his presidency for more than a year."The executive office of the RFD has decided to overcome his grievances against the elections of July 2009," AFP quoted a party statement sent to it.

The party took the decision in the wake of the challenges facing the country, including a threat from al-Qaeda, it said, adding, “The country today finds itself on the front lines ... of the war against terrorism.” Al-Qaeda's North African wing known as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has been blamed for a number of kidnappings and attacks in the Sahel region around the Sahara desert, in countries including Mauritania, Mali and Niger.

Western countries have been training security forces in West and North Africa to help them tackle AQIM but they do not normally admit being involved in operations. Despite the RFD protests, the international community has recognized last year's presidential election as free and fair.