Guinea on edge after army orders end to strike

CONAKRY, Feb 24 (Reuters) There were fewer soldiers on the streets of Guinea's capital today after martial law ended overnight, but many Conakry residents fear trouble next week after the army ordered an end to a nationwide strike.

Union leaders say President Lansana Conte is unfit to govern and have initiated strikes to force concessions from him.

Yesterday Guinea's parliament refused a request from Conte to extend martial law, imposed almost two weeks ago to quell violent protests against his rule, in a rare act of defiance against the autocratic leader.

Shortly before martial law lapsed the army chief of staff, Kerfalla Camara, went on state radio and TV to order an end to the labour stoppage, putting the armed forces on a collision cause with the unions.

''It's not the military that was at the origin of this strike and it is not them who will decide when it ends,'' union negotiator Ousmane Souare told Reuters.

Although most shops remained shuttered today cars took to the streets and some market food stalls were open. In outlying suburbs, the shattered glass and charred remains of barrages that had littered the streets have been cleaned up and the soldiers who had guarded main junctions are gone.

But the calm is uneasy.

Union leaders want Conte, a reclusive diabetic in his 70s who has ruled since seizing power in 1984, to appoint a new, neutral head of government with powers to hire and fire ministers.

Support for the strike has triggered violent clashes with security forces in towns across the country, killing more than 120 people since the start of the year. Government officials have said the situation borders on an insurrection.

The industrial action had been suspended after Conte agreed to name a consensus prime minister but the unions resumed their strike after the president promoted a close ally, Eugene Camara, to the post.

''People's reaction was spontaneous ... We cannot tell people to go to work while Eugene Camara is at the head of government because they will not accept it,'' Souare said.

The imposition of martial law had restored some order to the former French colony, keeping protesters off the streets by giving the army the right to shoot looters and troublemakers.

But civil rights groups have accused the security forces of shooting, raping and beating civilians during the unrest. For many, Kerfalla's announcement sounded threatening.

''When I heard the state of siege was over I felt a huge relief.

But this declaration by the head of the army makes Monday even more uncertain than ever,'' said Malamine Kaba, a marketing manager for a local telecoms firm in his 20s.

''We can't go to work on Monday,'' said teacher Mohamed Camara.

''The students have said they will lynch us if we do.'' REUTERS MS RAI1953