Brussels - The European Union on Monday condemned the military coup in Honduras, and called for all detainees to be freed.

The statement - issued on behalf of all 27 members of the bloc - follows an earlier statement from the External Affairs Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Walder, regretting the weekend's military putsch against President Manuel Zelaya.

The EU said it "strongly condemned the military actions which were directed against democratically elected President Zelaya and part of his cabinet and have violated the constitutional order of Honduras."

As well as urging detainees to be released, the statement called for all parties to refrain from violence.

"The EU highlights the importance of restoring the constitutionality and stability of the political and security situation in the country, and underlines the importance of ensuring that fair, timely and transparent presidential elections are held in November 2009," it concluded.(dpa)