Brussels - The European Commission on Monday threatened to freeze its non-humanitarian aid to Mauritania following the recent appointment of a new prime minister by the country's military junta.

In a statement, the EU's executive in charge of development and humanitarian aid, Louis Michel, said the appointment of Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, a former ambassador to the EU in Brussels, was "regrettable."

The commission views the junta's coup of August 6 as a violation of the country's commitments with the EU to respect human rights, uphold democratic principles and the rule of law.

A spokesman for Michel said Monday that the commissioner was to propose suspending its current cooperation agreement with the country until an "acceptable solution" to the crisis is found.

Under the so-called Cotonou Agreement of 2005, the EU is helping build roads in Mauritania and improve its bureaucracy. It is also financing the country's fishing sector to the tune of 86 million euros (128 million dollars) per year until 2012. (dpa)