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Guinea ministers submit to rebels Guinea ministers submit to rebels
(about 6 hours later)
Guinea's prime minister and about 30 other ministers have submitted to the leaders of a military coup. Guinea's prime minister and some 30 other ministers have submitted to the leaders of a military coup.
The government officials met Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, who has declared himself Guinea's new president, at a military base in the capital, Conakry.The government officials met Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, who has declared himself Guinea's new president, at a military base in the capital, Conakry.
Correspondents say the rebels have tightened their grip since Tuesday's coup, which followed the death of President Lansana Conte. The rebels staged the coup on Tuesday, just hours after the death of veteran strongman President Lansana Conte.
The African Union has led international condemnation of the coup. There has been international condemnation of the coup, but it was welcomed by some people in Guinea.
On Thursday, Capt Camara told the government ministers they would be "safe", urging them to assist the new regime which he said would only remain in power until elections could be held. Sick and tired of despotic rule under the former president and his hugely corrupt government, Guineans are pinning their hopes on the military, the BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross says.
Junta's pledge
On Thursday, Capt Camara told the government ministers they would be "safe", urging them to assist the new regime, which he said would only remain in power until elections could be held.
The council has no ambitions to hold on to power Capt CamaraCoup leader In pictures: Guineans cheer coupFear in Guinea at army takeover'End of misrule'Guinea army statement in full
"You can go back to business, let us just avoid armed conflict which would drag our country into fratricidal war," he said during a meeting at the Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks in the capital, Conakry."You can go back to business, let us just avoid armed conflict which would drag our country into fratricidal war," he said during a meeting at the Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks in the capital, Conakry.
Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare then submitted to Capt Camara.Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare then submitted to Capt Camara.
"We are at your complete disposal," he said. "We thank you once again for your wisdom, Mr President.""We are at your complete disposal," he said. "We thank you once again for your wisdom, Mr President."
'Happy Christmas'
Government leaders had previously insisted they were still in control.Government leaders had previously insisted they were still in control.
But Capt Camara had warned that if the ministers did not present themselves at the barracks, "we will organise a search across the entire country". The council has no ambitions to hold on to power Capt CamaraCoup leader class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7799474.stm">In pictures: Guineans cheer coup class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7797371.stm">Fear in Guinea at army takeover class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7798079.stm">'End of misrule' class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7797629.stm">Guinea army statement in full But Capt Camara had warned that if the ministers did not present themselves at the barracks, "we will organise a search across the entire country".
On Thursday, 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 Mr Conte's presidential 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.
Capt Camara also said he had no intention of standing in the elections and that he wanted to restore order to the country and rid it of corruption.
International condemnation
One army officer, Capt Nouhou Thiam, said an overnight curfew announced for Wednesday had been postponed until Friday because of "numerous demonstrations of joy and support" for the coup.One army officer, Capt Nouhou Thiam, said an overnight curfew announced for Wednesday had been postponed until Friday because of "numerous demonstrations of joy and support" for the coup.
Capt Camara (l) says his seizure of power enjoys widespread support
"Happy Christmas to all our Christian brothers in Guinea," he said."Happy Christmas to all our Christian brothers in Guinea," he said.
Capt Camara, a junior army officer, has declared himself Guinea's new president and head of the junta's new National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD).Capt Camara, a junior army officer, has declared himself Guinea's new president and head of the junta's new National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD).
The African Union has condemned the coup, as has the West African group, Ecowas, which is due to send a delegation to Guinea later on Thursday. The African Union, European Union and United States have condemned the coup.
Hopes for change The US embassy in Conakry called for an immediate return to civilian rule in Guinea, saying the junta's announcement that elections would not be held for two years was unacceptable.
The BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross says that if there was any doubt before, Capt Camara has made it clear who is now in control in Guinea. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYWe need a change, change that will benefit all Guineans. We pray for a good leaderAmara, Nzerekore class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5843&edition=2&ttl=20081223134955">Send us your comments
International condemnation of the coup appears to be at odds with the opinion of the Guinean people.Capt Camara (l) says his seizure of power enjoys widespread support France, which currently holds the EU presidency, also said a vote should be held soon.
Sick and tired of despotic rule they are pinning their hopes on the military for a change, our correspondent says. "The presidency points out the importance of respecting time limits and within the first half of 2009 holding democratic and transparent elections," the office of French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a statement.
That is why thousands of people took to the streets and cheered the man many now refer to as President Camara as the military paraded him through the capital on Wednesday, he adds. Guinea's two main opposition groups also urged the junta to stage elections in a year's time.
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. Celebrations
The BBC's Will Ross says that if there was any doubt before, Capt Camara has made it clear who is now in control in Guinea.
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Celebrations in Conarky
International condemnation of the coup appears to be at odds with the opinion of the Guinean people, our correspondent says.
On Wednesday, thousands of people took to the streets and cheered the man many now refer to as President Camara, as the military paraded him through the capital.
President 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.
Anti-corruption message
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.HAVE YOUR SAYWe need a change, change that will benefit all Guineans. We pray for a good leaderAmara, NzerekoreSend us your comments
"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.
Capt Camara has also said he has no intention of standing in the 2010 elections and that he wanted to restore order to the country and rid it of corruption.
"There are already people who are starting to show up with bags of money to try to corrupt us," he said in comments reported by local radio.
"They've tried to give money to our wives and cars to our children.
"I will personally go after anyone that tries to corrupt us."
Guinea's parliament speaker, Aboubacar Sompare, had earlier called 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.
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: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:
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
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