WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States will work closely with the African Union and the United Nations "to restore constitutional rule to Mauritania as quickly as possible," deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey said Thursday.

    "The United States joins the African Union in condemning the overthrow of the government of Mauritania. And we oppose any attempts by rogue elements to change governments through extraconstitutional or violent means," Casey said at a regular news briefing.

    Casey said US ambassador to Mauritania Joseph LeBaron met on Thursday with Mauritania coup leaders and called on them to restore ousted President Maaouiya Ould Taya.

    Casey gave no details but a State Department official, who asked not to be identified, said LeBaron told the coup leaders that Washington "condemned this extra-constitutional action and demanded the restoration of constitutional order."

    Troops seized power in Mauritania on Wednesday, overthrowing President Maaouyia Ould Taya while he was attending the funeral of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd in Riyadh on Tuesday.

    Ould Taya landed in Niger on Wednesday, hours after soldiers took control of state radio and television in his home country.

    Ould Taya was a strong ally of the United States at the helm of Mauritania. Enditem