Guinea’s Military Ruler Agrees to ‘Stay Away’

Guinea's embattled military leader caved in to pressure Friday and agreed to stay away from his country temporarily, renewing hopes of a return to civilian rule.

Captain Moussa ''Dadis'' Camara, who seized power in a December 2008 coup following the death of long-term leader Lansana Conte, made the decision after days of intense negotiations between him, his second-in-command General Sekouba Konate and Burkina Faso’s President Blaise Compaore in Ouagadougou.

Camara was shot by a close aide in an attempted assassination six weeks ago and had to be flown for treatment in Morocco. He demanded to return to Guinea but his plane was diverted to neighbouring Burkina Faso without his knowledge.

General Konate, who will continue as Guinea’s interim leader, has promised to lead a transitional government with an opposition prime minister and to hold elections in six months. [PE]