Leaders of the West African grouping Ecowas have suspended Mali's membership following last week's military coup, officials have said.

Colonel Assimi Goïta, the country's interim president, attended a weekend meeting that took the decision in Accra.

While addressing the media, Ghana's Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said that the block has called on Mali to nominate a new civilian prime minister immediately, to adhere to an 18 months transition period and to hold presidential election next February.

Ghana said the stability of Mali was critical if West Africa was to hold back terrorist activities from the region.

Colonel Goïta seized power after ordering the arrest of the transitional President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, the BBC reported.