Merkel: European leaders condemn Mali coup

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters on Wednesday that European leaders condemn the military takeover in Mali.

Talking to reporters after meeting virtually with other EU leaders, Merkel said the EU is "working for stability and peaceful conditions in Mali" and supported "the efforts of the regional organization ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) to find a political solution now."

The influential West African regional bloc was sending a high-level delegation to Mali in response to the coup.

ECOWAS had previously sent mediators to try and negotiate a unity government but those talks fell apart when it became clear that the protesters would not accept less than Keita's resignation.

The bloc condemned the overthrow of Keita, denied "any kind of legitimacy to the coup," and demanded sanctions against those who staged the coup and their partners and collaborators. In its statement, ECOWAS also said it would stop all economic, trade and financial flows and transactions between ECOWAS states and Mali.

The UN criticised the military takeover and the Security Council scheduled a closed meeting for Wednesday afternoon to discuss the situation.

The African Union also condemned the coup and called for a quick return to civilian rule.