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Guinea leader cedes key demand Guinea leader 'cedes key demand'
(about 6 hours later)
Guinea's president Lansana Conte has agreed to a key demand from the trade unions to name a new prime minister, reports say. Guinea's President Lansana Conte has agreed to name a new prime minister - one of the key demands of trade unions to end a general strike, mediators say.
The president is said to have made the concession at talks with union leaders to end a two-week general strike. They say he made the concession at talks attended by trade union leaders, members or the Supreme Court and religious leaders.
The negotiations were also attended by members of Guinea's Supreme Court and religious leaders. But the trade unions say the strike, that began on 10 January, will continue until all their demands are met.
The strike turned to violence on Monday when 40 people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters. On Monday at least 33 people died in clashes between police and protestors.
Pastor Etienne Leno told Reuters news agency that President Conte was ready to listen to the people. Etienne Leno, one of the religious leaders who met Mr Conte on Wednesday, told Reuters news agency that the president was ready to listen to the people.
"He is even in agreement that, if the people want one, there should be a new prime minister," he said. "He is even in agreement that, if the people want one, there should be a new prime minister," Mr Leno said.
"Now we must find a credible candidate.""Now we must find a credible candidate."
But the trade unions said they wanted first to see concrete action from President Conte before ending the strike.
"The people of Guinea do not want any more promises. They want something concrete," said Abdoulaye Sow, one of the leaders of the Syndicated Union of Workers of Guinea (USTG).
"It is an agreement in principle. Now it is necessary to put it into practice," he said.
There is no word from the government on the outcome of the talks.
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.
The strikers accuse Mr Conte, who is his 70s and suffers from diabetes, of mismanaging the economy and personally securing the release from prison of two men accused of corruption.The strikers accuse Mr Conte, who is his 70s and suffers from diabetes, of mismanaging the economy and personally securing the release from prison of two men accused of corruption.
This is the third general strike in a year.This is the third general strike in a year.