Guinea's military junta is set to hold political consultations with the country's politicians and foreign diplomats on Saturday, in a bid to put things right following Tuesday's coup.
The military junta led by Moussa Dadis Camara invited representatives of political parties, trade unions, civil society and religions to consultations at the Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks, the stronghold of the coup.
The junta also invited the involvement of the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union (AU), which have all called for the restoration to the constitution and democracy since the political turmoil occurred following the death of President Lansana Conte.
On Friday, a "grandiose funeral" for the late president was held in the capital Conakry with officials from neighboring countries and diplomats making their public appearances at the eulogy.
On the same day, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade urged countries not to interfere in Guinean affairs, indicating that the military junta may well prepare for elections earlier than 2010 and that Camara may give up power after the vote.
He said he had told Camara in a telephone conversation: "Let you handle your own problems."
Wade warned of a risk of violence if otherwise.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Guinea said the thousands of Chinese nationals are safe in the West African country.
The situation in Conakry was largely stable on Friday, with normal water and power supply and telecommunication service, the embassy reported, adding a number of banks and gas stations were reopened, although some supermarkets remained closed.
Camara announced the coup hours after the state radio broadcast the death of President Conte. He claimed himself "the president of the Republic" on Wednesday, when he was also named the head of a 32-member National Council for Democracy and Development.
The coup leader, however, declared no intention of running for the presidency in December 2010, which is set by the military junta.
Camara seemed in triumph when Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare led his team of government to the Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks on Thursday, surrendering to Camara after days of resistance.
But the military junta is facing uncertainties from the international community.
On Thursday, France expressed concerns about the situation in Guinea, urging a rapid return to the normal functioning of institutions in the country.
The European Union, through its presidency France, demanded the organization of a "democratic and transparent election" in the " first quarter of 2009," instead of a vote in December 2010, as promised by the military junta.
The United States has threatened to suspend its financial aid to Guinea if the military junta refuses to restore the democratic system in the country.
The junta is also being shunned by the Economic Community of the West African States, the African Union and the United Nations.
Guinea won independence from France in 1958. It borders Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Mali in the north, Cote d'Ivoire in the east, Sierra Leone and Liberia in the south and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.
With an area of 245,857 square km and a population of 9. 56 million, the country is also known for its rich mineral deposits, especially bauxite which accounts for half of the world's total reserves. The country, however, remains one of the poorest in the world.
Source: Xinhua
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