almotamar.net google - Sources in Mauritania's interior ministry say former government minister Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi has won the country's presidential run-off election.The sources Monday said Mr. Abdallahi received nearly 53 percent of the tally, with most of the votes now counted from Sunday's poll.
Mr. Abdallahi beat long-time opposition leader Ahmed Ould Daddah, who got 47 percent of the vote.
The Mauritanian interior ministry is expected to officially announce the results later today.
The elections are meant to be the final stage in the West African country's return to democracy after a 2005 military coup. Following the coup, the military promised to hold elections within two years and not to interfere in the election process.
Election observers say voting in the West African country proceeded without major incident Sunday. Officials estimated voter turnout at 67 percent, down slightly from about 70 percent in the first round.
In a debate last week, Mr. Abdallahi promised to consolidate democracy and end slavery, which persists in Mauritania despite an official ban.