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| Guinea coup leaders tighten grip | Guinea coup leaders tighten grip |
| (30 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, said he was now "president of the republic". | The junior army officer who led the coup, Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, said he was now "president of the republic". |
| Members of the ousted government have been ordered to give themselves up at an army camp in the capital Conakry. | Members of the ousted government have been ordered to give themselves up at an army camp in the capital Conakry. |
| 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. |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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 Conakry, said that shortly after Capt Camara was named as president of the new junta on Wednesday, a large convoy of soldiers, policemen and firemen took to the streets. | The BBC's Alhassan Sillah, in Conakry, said that shortly after Capt Camara was named as president of the new junta on Wednesday, a large convoy of soldiers, policemen and firemen took to the streets. |
| He said tens of thousands of people came out to cheer and applaud them, shouting: "Welcome to this change; welcome to this change!" | He said tens of thousands of people came out to cheer and applaud them, shouting: "Welcome to this change; welcome to this change!" |
| Coup leader Capt Camara makes a television address | Coup leader Capt Camara makes a television address |
| The motorcade moved through the streets unopposed. | The motorcade moved through the streets unopposed. |
| In his first press conference, the army captain said there was a big movement of support for the coup. | 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. |
| 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. |
| Later, the CNDD broadcast a statement saying: "All army officers and all the former members of the government are asked to go to camp Alpha Yaya Diallo in the next 24 hours." | Later, the CNDD broadcast a statement saying: "All army officers and all the former members of the government are asked to go to camp Alpha Yaya Diallo in the next 24 hours." |
| After that, it said, "a sweep of the entire national territory will be organised", suggesting those who do not report will be hunted down. | After that, it said, "a sweep of the entire national territory will be organised", suggesting those who do not report will be hunted down. |
| Government workers were also asked to report for duty. | Government workers were also asked to report for duty. |
| 'Still in control' | 'Still in control' |
| Capt Camara's statement followed a call by the parliament speaker, Aboubacar Sompare, for the international community to intervene. | Capt Camara's 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. |
| 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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYWe need a change, change that will benefit all Guineans. We pray for a good leaderAmara, NzerekoreSend us your comments | 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. |
| He rejected the coup leaders' claims that they were recruiting mercenaries to restore themselves to power. "It's idiotic - no, it's not true at all." | He rejected the coup leaders' claims that they were recruiting mercenaries to restore themselves to power. "It's idiotic - no, it's not true at all." |
| 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. |
| Do you live in Guinea or in a neighbouring country? What is your view of the current situation? Send your comments to the BBC using the form below: | |
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