Mauritania captures eight al Qaeda suspects

By Vincent Fertey

NOUAKCHOTT, April 30 (Reuters) - Mauritanian security forces captured eight suspected al Qaeda militants on Wednesday, including a fugitive accused of killing four French tourists, the chief prosecutor said.

The Dec. 24 killing of the French tourists and a shooting attack on the Israeli embassy in Mauritania's capital Nouakchott in February raised fears of a rise in Islamic militant violence in the traditionally sleepy Saharan state.

Those arrested included Sidi Ould Sidna, a suspect in the slaying of the French tourists, whose escape from police custody outside a courtroom on April 2 led to a nationwide manhunt and a series of raids on suspected militant hideouts.

Chief prosecutor Mohamed Abadllahi Ould Tiyib told Reuters Sidna was detained with another suspect, Khadim Ould Semane, who is accused of masterminding the Israeli embassy attack.

"The two most important suspects have been arrested. I have seen them. They are in detention at the gendarmerie," he said.

Four of those arrested were being actively sought for their alleged role in the attacks while the others were suspected of helping them evade arrest, Tiyib told a news conference later.

Security sources said Wednesday's raid took place without a shot being fired. Police operations including searches continued across the Atlantic coast city until late in the day.

Mauritania is one of the few Islamic countries that has officially recognised Israel.