ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union says the removal of Egypt's president was in violation of the country's constitution.

The continental body said late Thursday that the removal of President Mohammed Morsi on Wednesday falls under the AU doctrine on unconstitutional changes of government.

The AU usually suspends the membership of countries where the military ousts an elected government. Hinting that such a move could be coming, the head of the AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Wednesday said the body has "a principled position on unconstitutional changes of government." Dlamini-Zuma had urged Egyptians to hold dialogue to end the crisis within the framework of Egyptian law.

AU commissioner Lamamra Ramtane told the Associated Press on Thursday that the AU's peace and security council will meet Friday to deliberate on Egypt's political crisis.