ABIDJAN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Guinea's union leaders said on Saturday that they had called off an 18-day-old general strike after hammering out an agreement with the government, reports reaching here said.
Guinea's state radio quoted union leader Ibrahima Fofana as announcing that they decided to suspend the strike that began on Jan. 10.
Up to 60 people have been killed in ensuing protests and clashes. Strikers have accused the government of corruption and interference in the freedom of the legal system.
Guinean President Lansana Conte, 72, on Wednesday agreed in principle to name a new prime minister, the main demand of the unions calling the general strike.
Conte, who has run the country since 1984, dismissed the state minister of presidential affairs and coordination of government, Fode Bangoura, amid an escalation of tensions last week, but refused to give in to the pressure for forming a new national unity government.
The agreement to appoint a consensus premier would be another concession from Conte, who has vacated the post since sacking Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo in April 2006.
The president also nodded at the demand for lowering prices of rice and fuel. The price hikes for key commodities caused public anger leading to the street protests, according to union leaders.
The strike has plunged Guinea into chaos with businesses coming to a standstill, seaport operations paralyzed and flights cancelled.
The crisis has aroused grave concern from the international community.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for "maximum restraint" and for "the parties to engage in dialogue in order to find a peaceful resolution to the dispute."
Meanwhile, Chairman of the African Union Commission Alpha Konare urged an independent investigation into the deadly clashes. The Economic Community of West African States also decided to send a good-offices team headed by Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to Conakry for talks aimed at ending the crisis.
