Strasbourg, 10/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption, at the end of its emergency debate on Thursday, of a resolution on the situation in Mauritania, the EP deplores the harassment to which the political opposition in Mauritania has been subject for a long while. The EP calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Melainine, former minister and now a member of the opposition against President Ould Tay. It also demands the release of two other members of the FPM, condemned to five years in prison for conspiracy (the Parliament calls for their trial to be resumed before a court that guarantees the right to a fair trial and in the presence of international observers). It considers, moreover, that the legislative and municipal elections scheduled for October must be postponed in order to allow all political partners to participate. It calls on the EU to open consultations with Mauritania, in conformity with the suspension procedure under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement.