Troops have staged a coup in the west African nation of Mauritania, arresting the president and prime minister and shutting down state radio and television.
Mauritania has been facing a political crisis since Monday when 48 MPs walked out on the ruling party.
The move came less than two weeks after a vote of no confidence in the government prompted a cabinet reshuffle.
A spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said he 'deeply regrets' the military coup and has called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order.
