NOUAKCHOTT – Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has stressed that there is no difference and no boundaries between the so-called “political Islam parties” and the armed terrorist organizations.

He described the political Islam parties as “extremist” and that they would resort to taking up arms if they cannot achieve their goals through political means.

He said: “Islamists, who practice politics and wear ties, can take up arms if they cannot achieve their goals via politics.”

President Ould Abdel Aziz attacked the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood in particular.

During a press conference he held on Thursday night, Ould Abdel Aziz said the Muslim Brotherhood is the cause of “destruction of several Arab countries, which were stronger and wealthier than Mauritania.”

Last Monday, the Mauritanian President said extremists are participating in the parliamentary and municipal elections taking place in his country on Saturday.

He said he is supporting Al-Ittihad Party for the sake of the republic in order to put a limit to the falsehoods circulated in rumors and stand in the face of the wave of “dangerous extremist” parties taking part in these elections.

These extremist parties have agendas that contradict the Mauritanian people’s customs and traditions.

He added that these parties’ agendas have led to the destruction of some Arab countries known to all.

Ould Abdel Aziz said he would not allow extremists and corrupt people to enter the National Assembly (Parliament). He added that there is an unlicensed movement that is hiding behind one of the licensed parties in an unclear operation that calls for disintegration of the society and it is sowing the seeds of sedition between the members and segments of the society.