NOUAKCHOTT, Nov. 12, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- Mauritanian Justice Minister Bahah Ould Dah on Wednesday visited the Nouakchott central prison where 60 suspects of terrorism were detained, prison sources said.

After touring the cells holding the Islamic jihadists, the minister promised to spend more time on talks with them when he comes next time.

The visit was part of the commitment by Nouakchott to engage in dialogue with the suspected jihadists to end terrorism affecting Mauritania since 2005.

Previously, dialogue had been urged by the local respected scholar, Mohamed Elhacen Ould Dedew, who also called for speedy judgment of the prisoners directly involved in terrorism acts.

This visit came when the Nouakchott court of appeal resumed its sittings to go through three documents concerning suspected extremists, who had been convicted by the criminal court.

One of the documents concerns the cases of Abdallahi Ould Moctar, alias Abdel Aziz Abou Variss, Hakim Ould Mohamed M'Barek, alias Houdheiva and Ahmed Ould Hadi, alias Abou Zahra.

The three men were arrested in the middle of 2008 in Mali, before being extradited to Mauritania. They were convicted of 10 years in prison for acting in a terrorist group.

The second document is that of "Tidjikja unit", whose members were sentenced up to five years of imprisonment.

The third document is that of Harou Ould Habib, who was sentenced five years in prison for joining a terrorist organization.