GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP):

Guyana's Parliament has passed two controversial bills that would authorise wiretapping and force cellphone providers to register clients as part of a push to fight crime.

The approval comes as members of Guyana's two main opposition parties accuse legislators of violating citizens' privacy and worry the government will abuse the privilege.

Interior Minister Clement Rohee dismissed their concerns Saturday, saying police officers who want to tap the phones of suspected criminals would first have to obtain a judge's permission.

"At every stage of the process, the court has a firm grip," Rohee said.

The other bill would require Jamaica-based wireless carrier Digicel and the US-owned Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Co to register everyone who buys a phone or SIM card. Legislators say this would allow police to examine records if they suspect a phone was used for criminal purposes.

Both companies have competed aggressively for clients after Digicel entered the market last year, and they often have promotional SIM-card giveaways in urban areas.

Company representatives have said the proposed law would force them to end this practice or require copies of passports or identification cards.

President Bharrat Jagdeo is expected to sign the bills into law this week.