Military officers behind an apparent coup in the West African country of Guinea on Wednesday pledged to hold elections within two years after claiming they had seized control of the country following the death of President Lansana Conte, dpa reported.
Soldiers loyal to the officers were out in force in Guinea's capital, Conakry, surrounding government buildings and controlling access to the city, local journalists told CNN.
Broadcasting Wednesday on state radio, army captain Moussa Camara, a spokesman for the group which calls itself the National Council for Democracy and Development, said it intended to hold "transparent and credible" elections by 2010, according to news agency reports.
But the situation in the former French colony remained uncertain after Conte's near 25-year presidency came to an abrupt end Monday with the announcement of his death at the age of 74. Comte had ruled since seizing power in a military coup in 1984.
Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare claimed Tuesday that his government continued to function but Africa News reporter Mamdou Dian Donghol Diallo told CNN that Guinea's parliament was holding negotiations with the military.
"For the time being the situation is calm and negotiations are under way," Diallo said. "There is no traffic, everyone is staying inside their homes."
The newly formed government, made up of 26 military personnel and six civilians, is negotiating a power-sharing deal that would reflect its ethnic make-up. But many in the military oppose the coup and there are unconfirmed reports that army leaders are trying to recruit mercenaries from Liberia and Sierra Leone, Diallo said.
In a statement, the head of the Commission of the African Union, Jean Ping, said he was "gravely concerned" by the situation in Guinea and said the apparent coup amounted to a "flagrant violation" of the country's constitution.
"In this regard, the Chairperson of the Commission strongly condemns the announcement of the seizure of power in that country by elements of the Guinean armed forces and their subsequent decision to suspend the Constitution and various institutions of Guinea," a statement said.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who issued a statement commending Conte and passing along condolences, urged "a peaceful and democratic transfer of power" and exhorted "the armed forces and all stakeholders to respect the democratic process."
The United Nations told its personnel in Guinea to stay off the streets.
"All U.N. staff have been encouraged to stay at home," the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees' spokesman in Guinea, Faya Foko Millimouno, told CNN. "Only the military is in the street now."
The Foreign Office in Great Britain said it was "concerned" by reports of a coup. "We condemn any attempt to seize power by force, and call on all parties to ensure respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and to safeguard the well-being of their own citizens and foreign nationals in Guinea," the office said.
The U.S. Embassy in Conakry warned Americans in the country "to be particularly alert to their surroundings, and to be prepared for any eventuality."
Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite its mineral wealth, according to the British charity Plan UK. The country hosts large refugee populations from neighboring Liberia and Ivory Coast.