ALEG, Mauritania – Four members of a French family on vacation have been shot dead in Mauritania. Two children are among the dead. Presently, the father is receiving treatment in Aleg hospital.

The attack has been viewed as suspicious given that Southern Mauritania is relatively stabile democracy. The gunmen approached the family while they were having a picnic on the side of the road, and demanded money. Once the money was handed over, the gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons, and then escaped the scene.

The primary suspects of the robbery are three men suspected of links to a regional al-Qaida terror network. Judge Moustapha Ould Said told The Associated Press that “this was a grave terrorist act committed by dangerous criminal terrorists.”

The Interior Ministry of Mauritania said that it “regrets and condemns this criminal act that contradicts our values of tolerance”.

Today, Mauritania is one of the world’s poorest countries. However, given its stability, many nationals have hopes for future prosperity based on oil and natural gas sales.

For more information, please see:

BBC-  Tourists shot dead in Mauritania – 24 December 2007 

Guardian – Mauritania Seeks 3 in Tourist Killings  – 25 December 2007

Times Online – Al-Qaeda link to gang that killed tourists on picnic in danger zone – 26 December 2007