Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed yesterday's signing of an agreement between parties in Mauritania, which was rocked by a coup d'état last summer, calling it a "solid basis" for the West African nation's return to constitutional order and the consolidation of democracy.

President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallah, who was elected after multi-party democratic elections in 2007, was overthrown by the country's military in a move that was widely condemned, including by the Secretary-General and the United Nations Security Council.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson yesterday, Mr. Ban "congratulates the parties for the spirit of compromise demonstrated during the negotiations" which wrapped up in the capital, Nouakchott.

He also commended those assisting the talks, particularly President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, the Chairman of the African Union (AU) and members of the facilitation team, including the International Contact Group and Said Djinnit, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa.

The statement noted that Mr. Ban will closely follow developments in Mauritania leading up to the presidential elections scheduled for 18 July.