DAKAR, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Mauritanian military, which ousted the democratically elected government in the country on Wednesday, said on Thursday that it will swiftly hold "free and transparent" presidential elections, according to reports from AFP.

In a statement read on national radio, the military said "These elections, which will be held in the shortest possible period, will be free and transparent and will bring for the futurea continued and harmonious functioning of all the constitutional powers."

The military said it would, along with other institutions, "supervise the holding of presidential elections enabling the relaunch of the democratic process in the country and to reshape it on a perennial basis," the statement said.

The Mauritanian military staged a coup on Wednesday in the capital of Nouakchott, arresting President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi and Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed Waghf.

Soon after the coup was staged, soldiers in the country announced the establishment of the State Council, saying that Abdallahi was no longer president.

The State Council later issued a statement, saying that the council will be led by Mauritanian's former presidential guard chief Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who was among the senior officers ousted by Ablallahi.

Mauritania has witnessed many coups and attempted coups since its independence in 1960.