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Guinea police clash with strikers | |
(30 minutes later) | |
Security forces in Guinea have clashed with demonstrators, calling on President Lansana Conte to resign on the 13th day of a general strike. | |
Unconfirmed reports from the capital, Conakry, say seven people were killed when police opened fire and two others died in the eastern town of Siguiri. | |
A BBC correspondent says many thousands took to the streets in the biggest protests since the strike began. | |
Marchers were chanting "Enough" and "Bye Bye Conte". | |
Ten people were killed in clashes last week. | |
Guinea's unions and opposition parties say President Conte is too sick to govern. | |
The strikers also accuse Mr Conte of mismanaging the economy and personally securing the release from prison of two men accused of corruption. | |
Dialogue plea | |
On Saturday, Mr Conte made a speech on television, asking for the support of the people and the army. | On Saturday, Mr Conte made a speech on television, asking for the support of the people and the army. |
"Those who want power must wait their turn. It is God who gives power and when he gives it to someone, everyone must stand behind him," he said. | "Those who want power must wait their turn. It is God who gives power and when he gives it to someone, everyone must stand behind him," he said. |
President Conte has won three elections since seizing power"Guineans must remain united, above all us soldiers, because we must be proud of wearing the uniform, a sign of allegiance to defending the country." | President Conte has won three elections since seizing power"Guineans must remain united, above all us soldiers, because we must be proud of wearing the uniform, a sign of allegiance to defending the country." |
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the African Union head Alpha Oumar Konare have called for dialogue between the two sides. | UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the African Union head Alpha Oumar Konare have called for dialogue between the two sides. |
Mr Ban said he was concerned about the loss of life during the protests. | Mr Ban said he was concerned about the loss of life during the protests. |
Several people have allegedly been killed by security forces firing on protesters. | Several people have allegedly been killed by security forces firing on protesters. |
Food prices are said to have risen sharply in the capital, Conakry, with shortages of staple foods including rice and bread. | Food prices are said to have risen sharply in the capital, Conakry, with shortages of staple foods including rice and bread. |
Hundreds of people are said to have been arrested since the strike began. | Hundreds of people are said to have been arrested since the strike began. |
Mr Conte seized power in a 1984 coup but has since won three elections. | Mr Conte seized power in a 1984 coup but has since won three elections. |
He is in his 70s but suffers from diabetes. | He is in his 70s but suffers from diabetes. |
The current general strike is the third in the last year. | The current general strike is the third in the last year. |