Guinea junta pledges 2009 polls

Guinea's military ruler has promised to hold elections in 2009 - a year earlier than previously announced. "Captain Camara was very clear...in accepting the period of 12 months," said Alain Joyandet. Capt Camara also pledged not to stand in those polls, according to the French secretary of state for co-operation. He seized power last month, hours after the death of President Lansana Conte. Mr Joyandet is the most senior western official to meet the coup leaders, reports the AFP news agency. "We...