Brussels - The European Union's top foreign-policy official on Wednesday condemned the formation of a new government by coup leaders in Mauritania, saying that it was an illegitimate move.

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

Solana insisted that the crisis in Mauritania could only be solved by the release and return to office of ousted president Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, the statement said.

The August 6 coup was widely condemned in Europe, where it was seen as putting an end to an exemplary transition to democratic rule. The EU has repeatedly condemned the junta's subsequent moves and threatened to cut off non-humanitarian aid to the country. (dpa)