Guinea junta chief in no state to return, France

Conakry, 10 Dec-(ANA)-Guinea's military junta chief is in a "difficult" condition after an assassination attempt and a return to Guinea is not imminent, a junior French minister who works on relations with African countries said on Wednesday.

Captain Moussa Dadis Camara was shot on Dec. 3 and later evacuated to Morocco, where he has been treated for head wounds.

He has left behind a power vacuum and a divided military in the world's number one bauxite producer.

"Camara is in a condition that is apparently rather difficult, but in any case his life is not in danger," Alain Joyandet, France's Secretary of State for Cooperation, told reporters in Paris.

"In terms of his capacity to return to Guinea, I don't think it's reached that stage yet. For now he is in Morocco and for a certain amount of time, it would seem," he added.

Moroccan officials said on Sunday that Camara was stable after an operation to treat "trauma of the cranium" but they have given no details on when he could be discharged from hospital.

Defence Minister Sekouba Konate has taken over as junta chief. (ANA)

FA/ANA/10 December 2009---