Guinea is holding its first free election today since independence more than half a century ago - a vote many hope will finally end decades of harsh military rule and launch a new democratic era.

A renegade faction of Guinea's presidential guard opened fire on the African country's leader, slightly wounding him amid rumours of deep divisions within the army nearly three months after a military-led massacre of protesters at a peaceful rally.

The man who led Guinea's most recent coup says he "bitterly regrets" the deaths of civilians who were gunned down by soldiers at a protest last month.