Mauritania prevents Syrians from protesting against Assad

Members of a Syrian delegation in Nouakchott claim that Mauritanian authorities have blocked them from organising protests against the Syrian regime. Although Mauritanians have protested against Assad, the Mauritanian authorities have prevented Syrian nationals from going the same thing. The Mauritanian authorities also banned protests by Egyptian and Tunisian nationals during their revolutions. Mauritania’s government maintains that it has the right to maintain security, but the Syrian delegation says that security concerns should not impinge on the right to protest peacefully. The delegation added that they normally have no problem in Mauritania as the Mauritanian people are very welcoming. Syrians in Nouakchott are divided about Assad. Many suffered at the hands of the regime and consider the current situation a “long awaited moment.” Others are concerned that regional and international players are attempting to manipulate the Arab revolutions for their own interests. Faisal Al Miqdad, the Deputy Syrian Foreign Minister, visited Mauritania on September 12th to discuss the Syrian crisis. Billions of dollars will be pumped into Syria over the next few months to bolster Assad’s regime and fund the crack down on civilian protesters.