Guinea parliament rejects prolonging martial law (Saliou Samb)

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In a rare act of defiance, Guinea's National Assembly unanimously refuses to renew martial law.

By Saliou Samb

CONAKRY, Feb 23 (Reuters) -- Guinea's parliament Friday refused a request from President Lansana Conte to extend martial law in a rare act of defiance against his autocratic rule over the West African country.

The period of martial law, imposed nationwide 11 days ago to quell violent protests accompanying a general strike, was due to expire later on Friday, but the president had asked the National Assembly to prolong it, citing security concerns.

"The assembly deputies present unanimously refuse to renew martial law," National Assembly President Aboubacar Sompare told parliament after a vote on Conte's request.

This meant the martial law rules, which gave the military sweeping powers of search and arrest and imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew, would cease at midnight on Friday.

Union leaders say Conte, a reclusive diabetic in his 70s who has ruled since 1984, is unfit to govern and they are demanding he appoint a new, neutral prime minister with powers to hire and fire ministers.