Nouakchott, Mauritania - Despite the threat of terrorism in Mauritania and the travel warning issued to their citizens by some countries, including France, tourists have continued to flock to the country, official sources told PANA here Monday.

"A group comprising 111 tourists arrived in the Adrar region in the country on Monday and another one was expected (later in the day),'' Crafts and Tourism Minister Ba Madine told the Parliament.

Security has become an issue in Mauritania following the killing of four French tourists in the African nation last December.

The emerging security threat has forced the cancellation of the prestigious Lisbon-Dakar rally for the first time in its 30-year history.

Several legs of the rally was to have taken place in Mauritania.

Commenting on the attacks in Aleg (260 kilometres south-east of Nouakchott) and Ghallaouia (far-north of the Adrar region), the Minister described them as isolated and disclosed that "all measures have been taken to ensure security."
 
Nouakchott - 08/01/2008

Panapress