Few hours after rebel troops in Mali seized key buildings in the capital and drove the president from his official residence, the United Nations, Western powers and the African Union condemned the mutiny

Few hours after rebel troops in Mali seized key buildings in the capital and drove the president from his official residence, the United Nations, Western powers and the African Union condemned the mutiny, Mali's first coup in 21 years.
The soldiers -- who call themselves the National Committee for the Establishment of Democracy -- said they had acted because of the government's "inability" to put down a Tuareg-led insurrection in the north.

President Amadou Toumani Toure was initially holed up in the presidential palace as shots were traded outside, but managed to flee the premises.
A military source said he had since moved to a military camp with loyal members of an elite paratrooper unit.

A statement from the UN Security Council said its members "strongly condemn the forcible seizure of power from the democratically elected government of Mali by some elements of the Malian armed forces."

The 15-nation body called on the rebels "to ensure the safety and security of President Amadou Toumani Toure and to return to their barracks."

France suspended cooperation with its former colony, also calling on the mutinous soldiers not to harm Toure.
And Washington, which has repeatedly voiced fears that parts of Mali and neighboring countries are becoming a safe haven for extremists, called "for the immediate restoration of constitutional rule."

The African Union and the West Africa regional bloc ECOWAS also condemned the coup and called for a swift resolution to the crisis.