The ministers for defence, economy, finance and justice kept their posts in the new cabinet despite serving under the country's ousted president, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.

Several new ministers were named, including Die Ould Zeine, a former finance ministry official, as oil and energy minister. Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Oudaa, who previously managed a private energy and water company, becomes industry and mines minister.

Former US university professor Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou has been given the foreign ministry portfolio.

Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, who was appointed prime minister on 14 August, will head the cabinet.

Abdallahi and former prime minister Yahia Ould Ahmed El-Waqef are still being held, after being detained during the coup on 6 August.