Conakry: Guinea`s opposition said Tuesday it was calling off anti-government protests until next week following two days of violence, as the prime minister appealed for talks on the disputed timetable for elections.
"We have decided to suspend the demonstrations until Monday to allow our members and the population space to breathe," opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo told AFP.
Diallo made the comments following two days of violent demonstrations in the capital Conakry in which have seen several protesters treated for one gunshot wounds, including one who died.
The protesters were rallying against the fragile security situation in the west African nation, which they blame on the regime of President Alpha Conde.
They are also angry about the timetable set down for presidential and local elections, which they claim has been pushed through without consultation and gives the ruling party an unfair advantage.
Diallo`s announcement came in reaction to the release of a government statement which said Prime Minister Mohamed Said Fofana had "set up a small committee to make concrete proposals for the rapid resumption of dialogue with the opposition parties".
"Ahead of these proposals, the prime minister formally asks the leaders of political parties to agree to come to the discussion table so that the debate can be held in an atmosphere of serenity," it said.
The statement added that the government remained "open to any suggestion that respects the law and takes into account all the constraints that will lead to a consensus on the elections".
Fofana has also "given firm instructions on maintaining law and order, in strict compliance with the law and hopes that light be shed on the gunfire recorded during the clashes and the circumstances that caused injuries," the statement said.
But Diallo told AFP any dialogue with the government could only take place if the election commission cancelled the current electoral timetable.
