ADDIS ABABA, August 6, 2008 (AFP) - The African Union on Wednesday condemned the military coup in Mauritania and said it was sending an envoy to the country to assess the situation.

'The AU... condemns the coup d'etat and demands the restoration of constitutional legality,' it said in a statement.

The bloc also said it was sending Ramtane Lamamra, its peace and security commissioner, to Mauritania to 'assess the situation on the ground and to assist in promoting a peaceful solution to the crisis.'

AU commission chief Jean Ping 'is following with great concern the evolution of the situation in Mauritania,' the statement added.