afrol News, 4 September - A top foreign policy official of the European Union has condemned the formation of a new government by Mauritania's military junta, describing it as an "illegitimate move."

Javier Solana, the EU high representative "condemned the formation of a new government by the military junta" on Monday. In a statement released in Brussels, Solana said the move "cannot be considered as legitimate."

The top EU officials stressed that Mauritania's looming political crisis could only be solved by the release and return to power of ousted president Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.

Mr. Abdallahi has been the first democratically elected president of Mauritania in over 40 years. Since he was dislodged from power by a military coup led by the former head of presidential guards, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, on 6 August, the former president has been under house arrest.

The August 6 coup was widely condemned in Europe, where it was seen as putting an end to an exemplary transition to democratic rule.

Solana's statement comes after the United States recognised the ousted government as legitimate. The US government also declared its support for the Abdallahi regime.The 11-member military ruling council has been under intense regional and international pressure to quickly restore constitutional democratic rule in the West African country.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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