The Mauritanian government has approved a draft law related to money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The new provisions as a revision of existing counter-terrorism regulations. Under the new proposals, stricter sentences will be handed out to those found guilty of money laundering, along with those who disseminate terror-related literate. Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has vowed to crack down on group responsible for terrorist activities in his country. Several small militant groups affiliated with al-Qaeda have cropped up in the Mauritanian desert since the Malian conflict has escalated. Mauritanian Minister of Justice  Abidine Ould Kheir said that the new law would help the government in combating organised crime, and conduct dialogue with armed groups.