Guinea relaxes curfew as protests calm down

The head of Guinea's military relaxed a nationwide curfew on Sunday as violent protests against President Lansana Conte's 23-year rule subsided.

"Taking account of the discipline observed ... I have decided to reduce the curfew to be between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. starting from Monday, Feb. 19," Army Chief of Staff Kerfalla Camara announced on radio and television, according to reports from the Guinean capital Conakry.

Conte declared a state of emergency, including the curfew, six days ago in the West African country amid a general strike called by unions demanding the president step down or relinquish some of his power.

In declaring martial law, Conte warned that the country was in danger of erupting into a civil war following days of violent anti-government protests, which have left more than 100 people dead.

The curfew originally only allowed Guineans outside for four hours a day, which was later lengthened to six hours.

"This measure is the result of the effort by each person to return to normal life in the country," Camara said.

The move was also viewed as a peace offering to union leaders who have demanded that the government lift the "state of siege."

Talks between union leaders and government officials were scheduled to resume on Monday.

Source: Xinhua