France cuts Guinea military aid, clash toll jumps

By Saliou Samb

CONAKRY (Reuters) - France led international pressure on Guinea's military rulers by cutting military cooperation on Tuesday after a crackdown by the security forces on its opponents killed 157, according to a local rights group.

Condemnation of Guinea's junta intensified, with France also joining the African Union in mulling sanctions after security forces on Monday shot at tens of thousands of protesters urging military ruler Captain Moussa Dadis Camara to step down.

Monday's violence was the worst since Camara seized control of the world's top bauxite exporter in a December 2008 coup. But the junta leader said he was not responsible for the deaths and would still hold meetings to decide on whether to stand in a presidential election due in early 2010.

"France has decided to immediately suspend military cooperation with Guinea. It is also reviewing its entire bilateral aid," French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said.

"At our request, the European Union will meet tomorrow in Brussels to examine additional measures, particularly against individuals, that could be taken swiftly," he said, adding that Paris, Guinea's former colonial ruler, was also talking to the African Union and the United Nations Security Council about the situation.

Earlier on Tuesday, an overnight death toll doubled.

"According to hospital sources that we have spoken to, 157 dead and 1,253 injured have been registered," said Thierno Maadjou Sow, president of the Guinean Human Rights Organisation.

Sow told Reuters the figure did not include the bodies of those demonstrators killed at the September 28 stadium but which had not been delivered to hospitals.