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| Guinea protests over PM nominee | Guinea protests over PM nominee |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Demonstrators have taken to the streets in Guinea's capital, burning tyres and blocking roads in protest at the president's choice of prime minister. | Demonstrators have taken to the streets in Guinea's capital, burning tyres and blocking roads in protest at the president's choice of prime minister. |
| President Lansana Conte named Eugene Camara as prime minister, meeting a trade union deadline to avoid strikes. | President Lansana Conte named Eugene Camara as prime minister, meeting a trade union deadline to avoid strikes. |
| But correspondents say the close ally is being rejected by unions and the people who want a change in leadership. | But correspondents say the close ally is being rejected by unions and the people who want a change in leadership. |
| Unions only ended a violent 18-day strike last month when Mr Conte agreed to hand powers to a prime minister. | Unions only ended a violent 18-day strike last month when Mr Conte agreed to hand powers to a prime minister. |
| In several suburbs of the capital, Conakry, people have taken to the streets setting up makeshift blockades, while shops have shut. | |
| Labour unions had called on President Conte to hand over the running of the government by Sunday in order to avoid a resumption of the nationwide strike - the third in a year. | Labour unions had called on President Conte to hand over the running of the government by Sunday in order to avoid a resumption of the nationwide strike - the third in a year. |
| 'Provocative' appointment | 'Provocative' appointment |
| Mr Camara, a close ally of the president, has been in government for several years and working as the minister for presidential affairs. | Mr Camara, a close ally of the president, has been in government for several years and working as the minister for presidential affairs. |
| The BBC's Will Ross in Conakry says the unions fear Eugene Camara will simply be the president's puppet. | The BBC's Will Ross in Conakry says the unions fear Eugene Camara will simply be the president's puppet. |
| One labour union official described Mr Camara's appointment as "provocative". | One labour union official described Mr Camara's appointment as "provocative". |
| As people take to the streets to vent their anger, the likelihood of further violence is growing by the minute, our correspondent says. | As people take to the streets to vent their anger, the likelihood of further violence is growing by the minute, our correspondent says. |
| Some 60 people died during the recent strikes, called over falling living standards and alleged mismanagement. | Some 60 people died during the recent strikes, called over falling living standards and alleged mismanagement. |
| The deaths came after security forces opened fire on protesters as they were trying to march to the centre of the capital, witnesses and unionists say. | The deaths came after security forces opened fire on protesters as they were trying to march to the centre of the capital, witnesses and unionists say. |
| Military response | Military response |
| Guinea is mineral rich but has also been described as the most corrupt country in the world, and most people live in abject poverty. | Guinea is mineral rich but has also been described as the most corrupt country in the world, and most people live in abject poverty. |
| President Conte has won three elections since seizing powerThe president seized power in a 1984 coup but has since won three elections. Now in his seventies and suffering ill-health, there is an overwhelming desire for him to step down. | President Conte has won three elections since seizing powerThe president seized power in a 1984 coup but has since won three elections. Now in his seventies and suffering ill-health, there is an overwhelming desire for him to step down. |
| Our reporter says there is a fear that Mr Conte's reluctance to relinquish power could have dire consequences for Guinea's neighbours - Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast - which have all been plagued by conflict. | Our reporter says there is a fear that Mr Conte's reluctance to relinquish power could have dire consequences for Guinea's neighbours - Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast - which have all been plagued by conflict. |
| He said it would be no surprise if the military responds to the protesters with violence, although some question how long the army will continue to back an unpopular president. | He said it would be no surprise if the military responds to the protesters with violence, although some question how long the army will continue to back an unpopular president. |