Bamako, Mali:
The junta that seized power in a coup last month announced late on Thursday that it had released 22 people whose arrests earlier this week had prompted international criticism.
The arrest of senior politicians and military personnel took place even though Mali now has a civilian president and prime minister. Those opposed to the coup said the arrests showed that the soldiers who carried out the coup were not ready to hand over power.
In a statement issued late on Thursday, Colonel Diamou Keita said he was informing "national and international public opinion" of the detainees' release.
"However, the parties involved will remain at the disposal of the authorities concerned for the purposes of the investigation," said Colonel Diamou Keita in a statement issued late on Thursday.
Both the president and the prime minister of Mali had called for the soldiers to respect the normal legal procedures if they had any evidence that the people detained had committed crimes.
The regional body ECOWAS, the European Union and UN had all called for those detained to be released immediately.
"There is a danger that actions like this could undermine the authority of the prime minister who has just been nominated," said Richard Zink the head of the European Union delegation in Mali.
"It seems that the pressure from ECOWAS and Mali's other international partners has worked this time."