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G-Bissau asks not to be abandoned G-Bissau asks not to be abandoned
(30 minutes later)
Guinea-Bissau's new leader Raimundo Pereira has appealed for international help to stabilise the country in the wake of the president's assassination.Guinea-Bissau's new leader Raimundo Pereira has appealed for international help to stabilise the country in the wake of the president's assassination.
The parliament's speaker, who was sworn in as interim leader on Tuesday, asked the world not to abandon his country.The parliament's speaker, who was sworn in as interim leader on Tuesday, asked the world not to abandon his country.
He said that he would assume the functions of head of state until elections were held within 60 days.He said that he would assume the functions of head of state until elections were held within 60 days.
President Joao Bernardo Vieira was shot on Monday by soldiers who blamed him for a bomb that killed the army chief.President Joao Bernardo Vieira was shot on Monday by soldiers who blamed him for a bomb that killed the army chief.
Guinea-Bissau - a major transit point for Latin American cocaine headed for Europe - has been plagued by political unrest since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.Guinea-Bissau - a major transit point for Latin American cocaine headed for Europe - has been plagued by political unrest since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.
The UN Security Council said in a statement the 15-member body "condemns in the strongest terms the assassinations". The army denied it was launching a coup and has promised to honour the constitution.
Since the era of democracy came to Guinea-Bissau, most presidents have been unable to finish their mandate New leader Raimundo Pereira Author stumbles on G-Bissau drama Ibn Chambas, president of the 15-member regional bloc Ecowas, told the BBC's Network Africa programme that he was encouraged by the comments.
"The statement that the military has released indicates that they will stay out of the political affray and they have indicated what happened was not a coup d'etat, or even an attempted coup d'etat, it was a criminal act of assassination and I think there has been a very responsible position of the military," he said.
"We will urge them to continue to maintain this democratic, republican posture and accept civilian control to be the answer."
Moment of silence
Before taking the oath of office on Tuesday, national assembly leader Mr Pereira said Guinea-Bissau was "facing a very delicate situation".Before taking the oath of office on Tuesday, national assembly leader Mr Pereira said Guinea-Bissau was "facing a very delicate situation".
Obituary: President VieiraHaunted by history of crisis
He called on MPs "to assume their responsibility toward the nation".He called on MPs "to assume their responsibility toward the nation".
"Since the era of democracy came to Guinea-Bissau, most presidents have been unable to finish their mandate," AP news agency quotes him as saying.
"My time in office will be temporary, but I will do my all to organise elections in time."
Lawmakers in the capital Bissau also observed a moment of silence for President Vieira and for the army chief-of-staff Gen Tagme Na Waie.Lawmakers in the capital Bissau also observed a moment of silence for President Vieira and for the army chief-of-staff Gen Tagme Na Waie.
'Fragile situation'
Obituary: President VieiraHaunted by history of crisis
Diplomats representing West African and Portuguese-speaking nations have also said they hope the constitution will be honoured.
Guinea-Bissau's army has denied it is launching a coup and has promised to honour the constitution.
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua, who heads the 15-member regional bloc Ecowas, has sent a delegation to the country.
"The fragile political situation in Guinea-Bissau has been further weakened by these events," he said.
Soldiers killed President Vieira early on Monday in an apparent tit-for-tat attack after Gen Waie was blown up in his headquarters hours earlier.Soldiers killed President Vieira early on Monday in an apparent tit-for-tat attack after Gen Waie was blown up in his headquarters hours earlier.
The African Union's Peace and Security Council decided not to suspend Guinea-Bissau when it met in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Tuesday, as it said the attacks did not represent a coup. Mr Chambas said the country would need financial and technical support to be able to conduct credible elections within 60 days.
"Ecowas will lead the way," he said.
"We will work to mobilise the international community, African Union, United Nations, the EU and others to be able to provide Guinea-Bissau with the resources that it needs to ensure that we have successful elections."
The UN Security Council said in a statement the 15-member body "condemns in the strongest terms the assassinations".
But the African Union's Peace and Security Council decided not to suspend Guinea-Bissau when it met in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Tuesday, as it said the attacks did not represent a coup.
The AU suspended neighbouring Guinea and Mauritania after coups last year.The AU suspended neighbouring Guinea and Mauritania after coups last year.