WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States has reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Mauritanian President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, who is being held by the leaders of a military coup.

    "We strongly support the efforts of the African Union to restore the President to his office and to re-establish constitutional order," the State Department said in a statement made available Wednesday.

    The statement rejected the claim by the Mauritanian military junta that the recent transfer of Abdallahi from his place of detention in the capital Nouakchott to his home village represents "release," noting that "President Abdallahi remains deprived of his liberty."

    The U.S. Charge d'Affairs in Mauritania visited Abdallahi Monday at his new place of detention to convey his country's support, according to the statement.

    The Mauritanian military staged a coup in August, arresting Abdallahi and Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed Waghf.

    The United States condemned the coup, urging the rebels to release the leaders and restore the democratically elected government.