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NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) - Mauritania's ruling military junta said Saturday it had liberated 115 political prisoners jailed by the ousted former regime, but that nearly two dozen Islamic militants linked to al-Qaida would remain in custody.
Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, who led the bloodless Aug. 3 coup that ended Maaouya Sid'Ahmed Ould Taya's 21-year rule in the western African nation, said in a televised address Friday that he was freeing "all Mauritanians found guilty of political crimes or offenses, to allow them to participate in the political life of the country."
"We've taken this decision to permit all Mauritanians to enjoy their liberty and to guarantee our country a future of peace, prosperity and well-being," said Vall, looking somber in his military uniform.
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