Guinea curfew cut as unrest eases

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The authorities in Guinea have reduced the hours of a curfew imposed because of violent anti-government protests.

A statement from the army, broadcast on state TV and radio, said the decision was a response to the calmer situation.

The curfew will now run from 1800 to 0600, a reduction of six hours. It was introduced last week after President Lansana Conte imposed martial law.

More than 100 people have been killed in clashes with the Guinean security forces amid protests against Mr Conte.

The unrest began after union leaders called a general strike to try to force Mr Conte to resign.

They want the president to relinquish his near-absolute power, saying he is too ill and too old to run the country.

Alleged abuses

Army chief of staff Gen Kerfala Camara said the hours of the curfew would be reduced starting from Monday, as a result of the "discipline observed" by Guinea's people.

Under martial law, public gatherings are banned and the security forces have the power to carry out random searches.

Union leaders in Guinea had said on Saturday they would not enter talks with the government until emergency powers imposed last Monday were relaxed.

It remained unclear on Sunday whether the easing of the curfew would be enough to meet their demands.

Opposition leaders and human rights groups say hundreds of protesters have been arrested over the past few days.

They have also accused Guinea's security forces of firing on unarmed crowds and raping civilians.

The African Union (AU) passed a resolution on Friday condemning what it called the authorities' excessive use of force and calling for an independent inquiry.

The US has also condemned the imposition of martial law and the civilian deaths, while France, the former colonial power, has urged Mr Conte to negotiate a political settlement.

Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday added his voice, appealing for "respect for human and civil rights" in Guinea and a return to negotiations.

The Guinean government says it has ordered an inquiry into alleged abuses.

West African leaders held talks with Mr Conte at the weekend as they sought to find a solution to the impasse.

Guinea is seen as a potential flashpoint in a volatile region because it borders Sierra Leone and Liberia, which are both emerging from a decade of conflict.