Guinea's president names diplomat as premier

CONAKRY, Feb 26 (Reuters) Guinea's veteran President Lansana Conte named respected career diplomat Lansana Kouyate as consensus prime minister under a deal to end a general strike against his 23-year rule, state radio said today.

Unions had said Conte's previous choice of a close ally to fill the consensus position had violated a deal to suspend a strike last month. Unions agreed yesterday to return to work after Conte vowed to choose a more acceptable candidate.

REUTERS SBA RN0132