Mauritanian authorities started enforcing a new plan for security at the Nouakchott International Airport on Sunday, the government announced.

The plan will meet the "norms and standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (OACI) in matters of airport security," the announcement said, in reference to the new measures also covering the African country's other airports.

Under the new plan, airport security which was initially handled by the national police will from now on be handled by the national gendarmerie.

The roles of the police, Customs officials and the gendarmerie were revised and redefined in this new organizational structure.

The police will be charged with the duty of controlling immigration, checking passports and inspecting and screening passengers.

The Customs department is demanded to intensify inspection of cargo and the gendarmerie will be responsible for security around the entire airport.

An agency coordinating all the units was formed and to be deployed at the airports.

An airport official linked the new security plan to the delicate situation "due to the expansion of urban centers."

An official from the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) said, "This plan was a result of six months of rigorous hard work and consultations between ANAC and OACI, as well as discussions with the civil aviation authorities of Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco, Mali, Senegal, Spain and France."

The plan in question was instituted by a law approved by the cabinet in May.

By Special correspondent