UN chief urges restraint as Guinea unrest worsens

United Nations, Jan 22 (UNI) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged different parties in Guinea to exercise restraint amid reports of deaths during demonstrations that have rocked the West African country in recent days.

While making the appeal yesterday, the UN chief expressed concern at the worsening situation in the country.

''The secretary-general is closely following the developments in Guinea, including negotiations between the parties, aimed at bringing an early end to the present situation,'' his spokesman said in a statement issued in New York.

Mr Ban also voiced concern over ''the reported loss of life that occurred during the demonstrations.'' The UN chief urged the government, labor leaders and other parties to exercise restraint.

''He encourages them to avoid any action that would result in casualties and to reach a peaceful and mutually satisfactory agreement that would help restore calm and refocus the efforts of the country on poverty alleviation and development,'' the spokesman added.

Nearly ten towns and cities, including capital Conakry, in the former French colony have been engulfed since January 11 by demonstrations aimed at forcing out the ailing President Lansana Conte, 72, who is a diabetic. Mr Conte came to power through a coup in 1984 and has declined to step down despite his heart condition.

He went several times to Switzerland for medical treatment over the past year. The demonstrations began as he suspended the trial of two persons who have been charged with siphoning off millions of dollars of public money.

UNI