The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned the arrest of the Prime Minister of Mali, Cheick Diarra, by members of the Malian Armed Forces on Monday.
The arrest led to the resignation of the government of Mali.
The council conveyed its condemnation via a statement at the UN Headquarters in New York.
It stressed that the development contravened repeated calls in Resolutions 2056 (2012) and 2071 (2012) that the Malian Armed Forces should cease interfering in the work of the Transitional Authorities of Mali.
The council also expressed its readiness to consider appropriate measures, including targeted sanctions against those who prevented the restoration of constitutional order and took actions that undermined stability in Mali.
It, however, reiterated its support for the work of the Interim President of Mali, Dioncounda Traore, which was consistent with the Framework Agreement of April 6, 2012, signed under the aegis of ECOWAS.
It advised President Traore to swiftly re-appoint an inclusive government of national unity.
However, the council urged the transitional authorities of Mali to expedite the establishment of a transitional roadmap, via broad-based and inclusive political dialogue, to fully restore constitutional order and national unity.
The council stressed its commitment to authorising, as soon as possible, the deployment of an African-led International Support Mission in Mali. (NAN)