UN Council condemns Mali coup

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Monday slammed the coup inMali and added to international demands for the democratically-elected government to be returned.

A formal statement released by the council said that the "fragile security and humanitarian situation" in theSahelnations -- several countries that stretch across northernAfrica-- had been "exacerbated" by the return of thousands of people after the uprising inLibya.

The Security Council has joined the African Union and other regional organizations and governments in opposing the soldiers who overthrew President Amadou Toumani Toure on March 22.

"The Security Council strongly condemns the forcible seizure of power from the democratically-elected government ofMaliby some elements of the Malian armed forces," said the statement.

It demanded that the "mutinous troops" halt all violence and "return to their barracks. The Security Council calls for the restoration of constitutional order, and the holding of elections as previously scheduled."

The whereabouts of Toure remain unknown although the junta has assured he is safe and in good health.

There was debate among the 15 members of the council on whether the impact of theLibyauprising should be mentioned in the statement, diplomats said.

Tuaregs who leftLibyaafter the fall of Moamer Qadhafi joined a rebellion inMali, increasing the frustration of soldiers who say they were not given enough backing by Toure's government, according to UN officials and diplomats.

The Security Council statement referred toLibyaby expressing concern over "the fragile security and humanitarian situation in the region, and notes that it has been exacerbated by drought, food shortages and the return of thousands of returnees following the Libyan crisis and other crises in the region."

The statement also highlighted the "proliferation of weapons from within and outside the region."

The council called for all governments in theSahel, where there are growing food shortages, and international organizations step up joint action "to take urgent steps" to counter the food and security crises.