Military coup leaders form interim government in Guinea

Leaders of a military coup in Guinea have announced the formation of a 32-member government, one day after the death of the country'sdictator.

The interim governmentconsists of 26 military members and six civilians, said Capt. Moussa Camara, spokesman for the National Council for Democracy and Development, whichled the coup.

Presidential elections will be held within two years, the council announced on Wednesday. The group had previously stated that it would hold elections within 60 days.

The group said an interim president and prime minister will be appointed.

Camara said when the elections are held they willbe "credible and transparent".

The National Council for Democracy and Development announced its takeover on Tuesday, hours after the death of Guinea's longtime dictator Lansana Conte.

Camara entered the capital, Conakry, with several thousand soldiers ascrowds cheered. People left their houses to watchthe soldiers head for the presidential palace. "I came to see if the terrain is favorable to us. I see that it is," Camara said.

Junior officers lead coup

Local mediareport that the group appears to be run by junior officers headquartered at the Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks. Earlier this year, the barracks were the epicentre of a mutiny by renegade soldiers against Conte's rule.

Richard Moncrieff, West Africa project director for International Crisis Group, said no successor to Conte was groomed and no one can legitimately step up without elections. "If a constitutional transition of power is not effected, then it will be bad news for Guinea," he said.

Camara said the group has no ambition to stay in power.

"We are here to promote the organization of credible and transparent presidential elections by the end of December 2010," he said.

Conte had seized power in a military coup in 1984 following the death of President Ahmed Sekou Toure.

The African Union was meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Guinea. In a statement, the organization said "this seizure of power constitutes a flagrant violation of the Guinean constitution."

In a statement read on state television and radio on Tuesday, Camara said the government, constitution, courts and parliament had been dissolved.

Under the constitution the president of the National Assembly should have taken over as the country'sleader following Conte's death.

The European Union has also condemned the military takeover in the country and called on Guinea's political and military leaders to "respect constitutional measures to ensure a peaceful transition" via elections.

Camara accused the country's embattled government of trying to bring in foreign mercenaries on Wednesday.

Camara did not specify which country is providing the alleged mercenaries or the border where they might be attempting to enter.

Tanks, jeeps armed with rocket launchers and armed soldiers were circulating through the capital of Conakry on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souarecontinued to insist on Wednesdaythat he is still in serving in his position and that the government is continuing to function as it should.

Souare has been unable to communicate directly with the public since the military coup seized the state's TV and radio stations on Tuesday.

"We are still in control and we are trying to normalize the situation. We have no intention of bringing in mercenaries. In fact, we haven't even asked our own armed forces to intervene," he said.

Guinea is alarge producer of bauxite, used to make aluminum, and also has gold, diamonds and iron ore deposits. Major international mining companies operate in the country. But its 10 million residents are among the poorest in the world, in a country that has struggled with the costs of imported food, a deteriorating economy with high unemployment and corruption.