afrol News, 28 May - The row over the unsettled arrears of mutinous Guinean soldiers will be paid end of the month, Guinean's newly appointed Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare assured.

Guinean soldiers have been mounting protest demaind the government to settle their outstanding pay. The state owed each soldier a little over US $1,000.

In a televised address, Prime Minister Souare, who replaced Lansana Kouyate last week, said he had freed all soldiers detained in connection with the 2007 fatal general strike. He also promised that none of the rampaging soldiers would be punished.

He appealed to "all our compatriots, particularly our armed forces" to strengthen the foundations of Guinea and its "democratic achievements."

On Tuesday, mutinous soldiers from Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks in the capital Conakry fired shots and looted shops. Three civilians died in the mutiny while 22 others sustained injuries.

The deputy head of the army, General Mamadou Sampil, was captured by the protesting soldiers after he had attempted to negotiate with them at the Alpha Yaya Diallo camp on Monday.

President Lansana Conte was forced to summon an emergency meeting with senior government officials including the new Prime Minister.

After the meeting, Mr Souare, the former Minister of Mines, announced the removal of the Defence Minister, General Mamadou Bailo Dialo, from office and promised to provide food subsidies for soldiers.

Most people linked soldiers'mutiny to the impromptu sacking of Mr Kouyate whose appointment ended the deadly riots in 2007. Apart from paralysing its economy, at least 130 people were killed in the riots.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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