Guns fired as opposition gather in Guinea capital

CONAKRY, GUINEA - Sep 28 2009 12:59

Guinea's security forces fired live ammunition into the air on Monday as hundreds of opposition supporters gathered in the country's capital, witnesses said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties but there was a heavy security presence on the streets of the world's biggest bauxite exporter, mired in a political crisis between its military rulers and opposition parties.

"There are lots of police and gendarmes. They are at different crossroads and one group [of gendarmes] fired into the air to try and block the road," said witness Souleymane Diallo.

Witnesses estimated that there were 1 500 opposition supporters in the streets on Monday.

Particularly heavy shooting was was heard in Miniere, a western neighbourhood of Conakry. Clashes were also reported in Bembeto and near the city's September 28 stadium that the security forces are trying to stop protesters from reaching.

Opponents of junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara planned to hold a demonstration on Monday against plans mooted by the military for Camara, who seized power in a 2008 coup, to stand in elections due early next year. -- Reuters

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