ANKARA

The EU on Monday strongly condemned a military coup in Myanmar that saw the detention of senior political figures.

"I strongly condemn the coup in #Myanmar and call on the military to release all who have been unlawfully detained in raids across the country," Charles Michel, President of the European Council tweeted Monday.

Michel also urged respect for the outcome of recent elections and a return to the democratic process.

The bloc's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also took to Twitter to condemn the coup in Myanmar, calling for "the immediate release of those detained."

"Election results and constitution must be respected," he wrote. "Myanmar's people want democracy. The EU stands with them."

Myanmar's military announced early on Monday that it had seized power and would rule the country for at least a year while declaring a state of emergency. Top political figures, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other senior members of the ruling National League for Democracy were detained.