Mauritania's military junta, which came to power after an August 6 coup, has announced the formation of a new government, state media say.

A statement issued by the presidency of the state council said a 22-minister government headed by Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf had been formed, with effect from Sunday, AFP reported.

Most of the ministers were backers of the coup, whether affiliated with political parties or independents.

However, at least three of the ministers, who belong to the opposition Rally of Democratic Forces (RDF), have refused to take part in the newly-formed government, with the party immediately stating that they should be considered as having "automatically resigned".

The RDF had earlier said that it would not take part in the next government as no guarantees had been given on the length of a transition period and because of the ineligibility of a member of the armed forces to stand as president.

Junta leader, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, led a bloodless coup on August 6 which toppled Mauritania's first-ever democratically-elected president Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.

Aziz then formed a state council comprised of 11 military officials and promised to hold elections quickly.

While most of the international community has denounced the army-led coup, two-thirds of Mauritania's deputies and senators have voiced support for it, urging the recognition of the new military junta.

FF/BGH