Guinea's President Lansana Conte has sacked several high-ranking military officers, including his unpopular defense minister, the army chief of staff and six others, bowing to the demands of soldiers leading a three-day-old military revolt.

The national radio Saturday quoted a presidential decree as saying that Defense Minister General Arafan Camara and armed forces chief General Kerfalla Camara had been replaced along with the second in command of the army General Ibrahima Diallo, and military supply chief Colonel Bambo Fofana.

In an earlier broadcast on Friday, Conte had bowed to the soldiers' demand for higher wages, a move that indicates the growing independence of the military and Conte's willingness to change course to keep the volatile troops on his side.

On Thursday, soldiers angry at not having received a raise left their barracks at the capital's Alpha Yaya Diallo camp and began shooting in the air in a protest many feared would turn violent.

By Friday, soldiers throughout the countryside had left their posts and began blocking roads, holding half a dozen towns hostage as shopkeepers closed their stalls and residents cowered behind barricaded doors.

The revolt began when word leaked out that only officers with 14 years or more service would be promoted, prompting the junior officers to mutiny.

Earlier in the week, soldiers had circulated a petition calling for higher wages and the resignation of the minister of defense.

Source: Xinhua