Italy on Monday expressed solidarity with the people of Mali after last week's military coup - the second in nine months to be led by Col Assimi Goita - and urged the rapid formation of a unity government.
"Italy expresses its closeness to and solidarity with the Malian people at this difficult time," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"Italy also supports the mediation efforts of ECOWAS and hopes that a government of national unity representing all the country’s forces may soon be formed, capable of accompanying Mali towards peace, stability and fair and inclusive elections in 2022."
ECOWAS on Sunday suspended Mali in response to last Monday's coup and said the country's authorities must stick to a timetable for a return to democracy. The West African bloc stopped short of imposing new sanctions, however.
