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Guinea coup leaders tighten grip Guinea coup leaders tighten grip
(20 minutes later)
Leaders of a military coup in Guinea appear to have tightened their grip on power following the death of the country's president, Lansana Conte.Leaders of a military coup in Guinea appear to have tightened their grip on power following the death of the country's president, Lansana Conte.
The junior army officer who led the coup, Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, told journalists he was now "president of the republic", AFP news agency reports. The junior army officer who led the coup, Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, told journalists he was now "president of the republic".
He paraded his soldiers in the capital and declared an overnight curfew.He paraded his soldiers in the capital and declared an overnight curfew.
A regional delegation is due in Guinea later to try to encourage a return to constitutional rule.A regional delegation is due in Guinea later to try to encourage a return to constitutional rule.
The group, Ecowas, has condemned the coup, as has the African Union.The group, Ecowas, has condemned the coup, as has the African Union.
"Ecowas cannot accept military imposition on the people of Guinea," said Mohammed Ibn Chambers, one of the delegation's members."Ecowas cannot accept military imposition on the people of Guinea," said Mohammed Ibn Chambers, one of the delegation's members.
Earlier, government leaders insisted they were still in power and appealed for help from the international community.Earlier, government leaders insisted they were still in power and appealed for help from the international community.
But BBC West Africa correspondent Will Ross says the coup leaders now appear to be in control and to enjoy considerable public support.But BBC West Africa correspondent Will Ross says the coup leaders now appear to be in control and to enjoy considerable public support.
President Lansana Conte, 74, died on Monday night and renegade soldiers moved to seize power in the hours afterwards, taking control of state radio and television.President Lansana Conte, 74, died on Monday night and renegade soldiers moved to seize power in the hours afterwards, taking control of state radio and television.
The funeral of Mr Conte is to take place on Friday in his home village.The funeral of Mr Conte is to take place on Friday in his home village.
'Destabilising''Destabilising'
The BBC's Alhassan Sillah in the capital, Conakry, said that shortly after Capt Camara was named as president of the new junta, a large convoy of soldiers, policemen and firemen took to the streets. We have no intention of bringing in mercenaries Ahmed Tidiane Souare Guinea's prime minister In pictures: Guineans cheer coupFear in Guinea at army takeover'End of misrule'Guinea army statement in fullThe BBC's Alhassan Sillah in the capital, Conakry, said that shortly after Capt Camara was named as president of the new junta, a large convoy of soldiers, policemen and firemen took to the streets. We have no intention of bringing in mercenaries Ahmed Tidiane Souare Guinea's prime minister In pictures: Guineans cheer coupFear in Guinea at army takeover'End of misrule'Guinea army statement in full
He said tens of thousands of people had come out to cheer and applaud them, shouting: "Welcome to this change; welcome to this change!"He said tens of thousands of people had come out to cheer and applaud them, shouting: "Welcome to this change; welcome to this change!"
The motorcade moved through the streets unopposed.The motorcade moved through the streets unopposed.
"I came to see if the terrain is favourable to us," Capt Camara was quoted as saying. "I see that it is.""I came to see if the terrain is favourable to us," Capt Camara was quoted as saying. "I see that it is."
In his first press conference, the army captain said there was a big movement of support for the coup, AFP reported. In his first press conference, the army captain said there was a big movement of support for the coup.
"I am convinced, reassured that I am the president of the republic, the head of the (junta's) National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD)," he said."I am convinced, reassured that I am the president of the republic, the head of the (junta's) National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD)," he said.
Earlier, the CNDD announced a curfew from 2000 to 0600.Earlier, the CNDD announced a curfew from 2000 to 0600.
The coup leaders also warned forces loyal to the government against using mercenaries to restore themselves to power.The coup leaders also warned forces loyal to the government against using mercenaries to restore themselves to power.
A man believed to be Capt Camara makes a television addressA man believed to be Capt Camara makes a television address
"I would like to inform the people of Guinea that there are generals who for unknown reasons are trying to recruit mercenaries - some of whom are already inside our borders - for the purpose of destabilising our attempts to establish peace and democracy," Capt Camara said."I would like to inform the people of Guinea that there are generals who for unknown reasons are trying to recruit mercenaries - some of whom are already inside our borders - for the purpose of destabilising our attempts to establish peace and democracy," Capt Camara said.
His statement followed a call by the parliament speaker, Aboubacar Sompare, for the international community to intervene.His statement followed a call by the parliament speaker, Aboubacar Sompare, for the international community to intervene.
According to Guinea's constitution, Mr Sompare should be in charge of the government until elections are held in 60 days.According to Guinea's constitution, Mr Sompare should be in charge of the government until elections are held in 60 days.
'Idiotic' 'No mercenaries'
The country's prime minister, Ahmed Tidiane Souare, has insisted the government, protected by loyal troops, is still the legitimate authority.The country's prime minister, Ahmed Tidiane Souare, has insisted the government, protected by loyal troops, is still the legitimate authority.
He rejected the coup leaders' claims that mercenaries could be used.HAVE YOUR SAYWe need a change, change that will benefit all Guineans. We pray for a good leaderAmara, NzerekoreSend us your commentsHe rejected the coup leaders' claims that mercenaries could be used.HAVE YOUR SAYWe need a change, change that will benefit all Guineans. We pray for a good leaderAmara, NzerekoreSend us your comments
"We are still in control and we are trying to normalise the situation," Mr Souare told the Associated Press news agency."We are still in control and we are trying to normalise the situation," Mr Souare told the Associated Press news agency.
"We have no intention of bringing in mercenaries. In fact, we haven't even asked our own armed forces to intervene.""We have no intention of bringing in mercenaries. In fact, we haven't even asked our own armed forces to intervene."
Capt Camara said the new 32-member ruling council replacing the government and other institutions would hold "free, credible and transparent elections" in December 2010, when President Conte's term would have ended.Capt Camara said the new 32-member ruling council replacing the government and other institutions would hold "free, credible and transparent elections" in December 2010, when President Conte's term would have ended.
"The council has no ambitions to hold on to power. The only reason is the need to safeguard territorial integrity. That is the only reason. There is no ulterior motive," he said."The council has no ambitions to hold on to power. The only reason is the need to safeguard territorial integrity. That is the only reason. There is no ulterior motive," he said.
Mr Conte died on Monday night after a "long illness".Mr Conte died on Monday night after a "long illness".
The cause of his death is unknown, but Mr Conte was a chain-smoker and diabetic who is also believed to have suffered from leukaemia.The cause of his death is unknown, but Mr Conte was a chain-smoker and diabetic who is also believed to have suffered from leukaemia.
The European Union and United States have joined the African Union in condemning the coup.The European Union and United States have joined the African Union in condemning the coup.