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| Protesters shot on Guinea streets | Protesters shot on Guinea streets |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least eight people have been shot dead by the security forces in the West African state of Guinea during protests against the newly named prime minister. | At least eight people have been shot dead by the security forces in the West African state of Guinea during protests against the newly named prime minister. |
| Dozens more were seriously injured in the violence in the capital Conakry and several towns across the country. | Dozens more were seriously injured in the violence in the capital Conakry and several towns across the country. |
| President Lansana Conte named Eugene Camara as prime minister on Friday, meeting a deadline to avoid strikes. | President Lansana Conte named Eugene Camara as prime minister on Friday, meeting a deadline to avoid strikes. |
| However, the demonstrators say Mr Camara is too close to the president and are demanding a leadership change. | However, the demonstrators say Mr Camara is too close to the president and are demanding a leadership change. |
| Capital 'in chaos' | Capital 'in chaos' |
| The violence erupted in the town of Kindia about 140km (85 miles) from the capital, Conakry. At least four of the deaths occurred there. | The violence erupted in the town of Kindia about 140km (85 miles) from the capital, Conakry. At least four of the deaths occurred there. |
| As well as the known seven civilian deaths, there are also unconfirmed reports that two soldiers were killed and their bodies burnt by protesters in the town of Kankan. | As well as the known seven civilian deaths, there are also unconfirmed reports that two soldiers were killed and their bodies burnt by protesters in the town of Kankan. |
| The BBC's Will Ross in Conakry says the capital is in chaos after protesters went on the rampage, ransacking government offices and the homes of government ministers. | The BBC's Will Ross in Conakry says the capital is in chaos after protesters went on the rampage, ransacking government offices and the homes of government ministers. |
| Gunfire can be heard in several areas of the city, our correspondent says, and young demonstrators have blocked roads with rocks and burning tyres. | Gunfire can be heard in several areas of the city, our correspondent says, and young demonstrators have blocked roads with rocks and burning tyres. |
| "We risk having to declare a state of emergency because the situation has virtually turned into an insurrection," a senior government official told the Reuters news agency. | "We risk having to declare a state of emergency because the situation has virtually turned into an insurrection," a senior government official told the Reuters news agency. |
| Mr Conte had agreed to hand over the running of the government by Sunday in order to avoid the resumption of an 18-day strike which unions ended last month. | Mr Conte had agreed to hand over the running of the government by Sunday in order to avoid the resumption of an 18-day strike which unions ended last month. |
| But people are angry that Mr Conte has chosen a close ally for the post of prime minister. | But people are angry that Mr Conte has chosen a close ally for the post of prime minister. |
| "We cannot go against the will of the people. The president has made a choice which suits him but does not suit the people," said union negotiator Boubacar Biro Barry, the Reuters news agency reported. | |
| Military response | Military response |
| Mr Camara has been in government for several years and worked as the minister for presidential affairs. | Mr Camara has been in government for several years and worked as the minister for presidential affairs. |
| Our correspondent says unions fear Mr Camara will simply be the president's puppet, and are demanding a complete change of leadership instead. | Our correspondent says unions fear Mr Camara will simply be the president's puppet, and are demanding a complete change of leadership instead. |
| President Conte has won three elections since seizing power | President Conte has won three elections since seizing power |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| The 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. | The 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. |