A judge dismissed the sexual assault case against former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn today but put the order on hold for the accuser and her lawyer to ask that a special prosecutor should be appointed.

THE maid hovered in the suite’s large living room, just inside the entrance. The 32-year-old Guinean had been told by a waiter that room 2806 was now free for cleaning.

Presidential campaigns in Guinea were suspended after violence between rival campaign supporters left one person dead, a government official said.

At least 24 people were injured when members of Guinea’s rival political parties began throwing rocks at each other after a campaign event, said a party official and a doctor at the hospital where the injured were being treated.

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.

Guinea’s military junta appointed a veteran opposition leader as the country’s new prime minister, in a crucial step that sets the stage for the military to cede power to civilians in elections within the next six months.

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 International Criminal Court said yesterday it has launched a preliminary investigation into last month’s violence at a Guinea sports stadium, where presidential guard troops opened fire on tens of thousands of demonstrators.

Guinea’s military leader banned all gatherings and demonstrations as the United Nations pressed for an independent investigation into why troops opened fire on 50,000 pro-democracy protesters.

Drunken soldiers were loose on the streets of Guinea’s capital today, 24 hours after the presidential guard shot dead at least 157 pro-democracy demonstrators.

Guinea’s coup leader solidified his hold over the impoverished West African nation as the prime minister who served under its late dictator surrendered and stepped down, along with dozens of other government leaders.

Guinea’s prime minister and about 30 other government leaders turned themselves in at an army barracks today after the leader of a military coup ordered them to show up within 24 hours, a private radio station reported.

Coup leaders announced a 32-member interim government for Guinea hours after they said were in control of the mineral-rich West African country following the death of its dictator.

A military-led group declared a coup in Guinea today after the death of its long-time dictator, but the prime minister insisted he remained in charge.

At least 46 people – and possibly dozens more – were believed dead off the coast of Guinea after a motorised wooden boat loaded with merchandise and people capsized, officials and survivors said today.

Sporadic gunfire rang through the suburbs of Guinea’s capital and trucks full of soldiers patrolled the streets, but Conakry was largely quiet as the onset of martial law imposed a strict curfew following three days of deadly protests.

President Lansana Conte declared a state of emergency in Guinea tonight, announcing in a broadcast on state radio and television he had ordered the army to "take all necessary measures" to restore order after three days of violent protests.

Street protests turned violent in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, today, with four people killed, as demonstrators threw stones and set up burning-tyre barricades while criticising the president for appointing an ally as prime minister.

The official toll from bloody clashes earlier this week between security forces and protesters in Guinea rose to at least 59 dead, almost double the number previously reported, the health ministry said today.

A YOUNG miner thought it was his lucky day when he found a huge diamond while sweating it out in the west African forests of Guinea.

Rescue teams combed cold, dark waters off the West African nation of Benin today in a desperate search for survivors of a plane crash that killed at least 111 people.

Rescue teams were searching the sea off the West African nation of Benin today in a desperate hunt for survivors of a plane crash that killed at least 96 people, authorities said.