Israel will not close its embassy in Mauritania despite gun attack

Ma'an, Date: 02 / 02 / 2008  Time:  12:00

Bethlehem –

The Israeli occupation government will not close its embassy in Mauritania, following Friday's attack, the spokesperson of the Israeli foreign ministry Arieh Michel said on Saturday.

Gunmen opened fire on the Israeli embassy in Mauritania in the early hours of Friday morning. The attackers opened fire on guards outside the embassy in the capital Nouakchott and also fired on a nearby bar before making their getaway. At least three passers-by were injured in the attack. The authorities immediately placed a military cordon around the embassy.

Michel said in a press release that Mauritania is one of three Arab countries which have diplomatic relations with Israel at ambassadorial level, and the Israeli authorities will endeavor to develop these relations despite the shooting incident.

Recently a number of political parties have been demanding that the Mauritanian government break off relations with Israel.

The government of Mauritania has condemned the attack on the Israeli embassy.

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