Nouakchott, Mauritania  - Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi arrived in Mauritania on Monday seeking a deal to end the political crisis that has gripped the county since Mauritanian military officers deposed the president six months ago.

Gaddafi, acting in his capacity as president of the African Union, became the highest-ranking official to seek an end to the political stalemate in Mauritania since a junta led by General Mohammed Ould Abdel-Aziz launched a successful coup against Sidi Mohammed Ould Sheikh Abdallahi in August.

Abdallahi, Mauritania's first democratically elected president, visited Libya for talks with Gaddafi last week at the Libyan leader's invitation. He had been under house arrest until December.

Speaking on his return to Nouakchott, Abdallahi said he looked forward to working with Abdel-Aziz and Gaddafi to find a solution that would be acceptable to all parties.

Abdel-Aziz, other senior members of the military government and crowds bearing placards with Gaddafi's image greeted the Libyan leader at the airport.

The African Union imposed sanctions on Mauritania in February and called for "an immediate return to constitutional order."

The European Union has threatened to follow suit if Abdel-Aziz does not step down and restore Abdallahi to power. Abdel-Aziz has indicated he may hold elections and run for office as a compromise.

The Libyan leader is to outline his vision for a solution to the political crisis in an address to the Mauritanian parliament and participate in public prayers commemorating the birth of the Prophet Mohammed.

Gaddafi's visit is his first in more than 25 years. Relations between Mauritania and Libya have been strained since 1999, when Mauritania became one of three members of the Arab League to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel, alongside Egypt and Jordan.

On Friday, Mauritania ordered Israel to close its embassy in Nouakchott in protest over Israel's 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip in late December and January. (dpa)