BRUSSLES, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The European Union's French presidency renewed Wednesday "in the strongest terms its condemnation of the coup" in Mauritania, terming the emergency measures taken by the military leaders as "completely unlawful."

    "It (the EU) considers the emergency measures taken by the military leaders who seized power, measures confirmed by the Order of August 11, 2008, in particular that relieving the President of the Republic of his duties, to be completely unlawful," the presidency said in a statement.

    It warned the military junta "of the serious risk of the country's long-term isolation in the international arena," urging the junta to restore the institutional framework that existed before Aug. 6.

    The statement also called on the junta to cooperate immediately with the international community to that end.

    It reiterated support for the efforts made along that path by the African Union in particular, pledging to contribute to "a solution for the current institutional crisis through dialogue."

    The EU voiced deep concern over the situation in Mauritania on Aug. 6, when the military coup took place and the president and prime minister of the African country were deprived of duties.