CONAKRY (Reuters):

Guinean President Lansana Conte declared martial law in the West African country yesterday to curb a wave of violent protests lead by unions opposed to his 23-year rule.

"Given the destruction and the losses in terms of human life, I have decided to decree martial law in the whole of the national territory," he said on state radio.

Martial law in Guinea forbids all public meetings, empowers the military to arrest anyone they believe threatens state security and imposes a strict curfew.

"Orders have been given to the heads of the armed forces to take all appropriate measures to defend the people of Guinea from the risk of civil war," Conte said.

At least nine people were killed yesterday, after unions resumed a general strike to protest against Conte's naming of a close ally to the post of consensus prime minister.

Union leaders said the appointment violated a power-sharing deal which ended a bloody 18-day general strike last month.

Yesterday's strike action disrupted bauxite production from the world's largest exporter.