Mauritanians have elected Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi as the president in a move that promises usher in a new democratic era after years of authoritarian rule, the West African nation's interior minister has said.
Sunday's run-off vote was the climax of a series of democratic polls held in the country since the army's bloodless 2005 coup.
Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine, the interior minister, said quoting official provisional results: "Mr. Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi is elected president of the Republic."
The results showed that Abdallahi had won 52.85 per cent of valid votes, while his rival Ahmed Ould Daddah, a veteran opposition figure, took 47.15 per cent.
Turnout was 67.48 per cent.
Technocrat
Abdallahi, 68, an economist and seasoned technocrat who has served in past governments, was seen as favourite to win the run-off after he gained the endorsement of the third- and fourth-placed first round contenders.
He is seen as having the support of members of the outgoing military junta, who had pledged not to interfere with the poll outcome but were expected to keep an eye on the work of the new president.
He is also backed by former supporters of president Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, who was overthrown in 2005.
The results have yet to be endorsed by the Constitutional Council pending possible appeal by the defeated contender.
The vote was hailed by international observers as the freest held since independence in 1960.
They said voting had gone generally smoothly and without serious incidents.