NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (Reuters) -- Police fired tear gas at students in Mauritania's capital on Monday during a protest at this week's visit by Israel's foreign minister to an Arab nation where many oppose diplomatic ties with the Jewish state.

The protest at Nouakchott's university was short-lived, but dozens of riot police remained outside the campus where the street was littered with rocks thrown by scores of students. The remains of a burnt tire were also left behind.

Across the city of sandy streets and low buildings, protesters had covered walls with anti-Israeli graffiti ahead of the one-day visit by Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom on Tuesday.

"No to the visit" and "No to (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon" were among slogans in Arabic. "Don't tarnish our identity," read another.

Shalom is to meet pro-Western President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya and visit an Israeli-financed cancer treatment center...