PSC/PR/(CLXVIII) Page 2 COMMUNIQUE OF THE 168TH MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 168th meeting, held on 5 February 2009, adopted the following decision on the situation in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania:   1. Recalls the communiqué of its 163rd meeting held on 22 December 2008; 2. Decides that the sanctions envisaged in paragraph nine (9) of the Communiqué of its 163rd Meeting held on 22 December 2008, enter into force; 3. Requests the Commission to take the necessary steps for the effective implementation of the sanctions and to report regularly to it; 4. Further requests all Member States to scrupulously implement this decision; 5. Stresses that the entry into force of the sanctions should be accompanied by efforts of the AU and its partners involving all the Mauritanian parties towards a rapid return to constitutional order in Mauritania. Council urges the authorities borne out of the coup to extend their full cooperation to the AU Commission with a view to an immediate return to constitutional order and the quick resolution of the political crisis in the country; 6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.