CONAKRY, 07 September 2021, (TON): The leader of the coup which ousted Guinea's President Alpha Condé has said “a new union government would be formed in weeks.”

Col Mamady Doumbouya told ministers who served in Mr Condé's government that there would be no witch-hunt against former officials.

President Condé remains in detention, but his fate is unclear.

The UN, African Union, and regional body Ecowas have condemned the coup and called for a return to civilian rule.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres tweeted "I strongly condemn any takeover of the government by force of the gun and call for the immediate release of President Alpha Condé."

Col Doumbouya, who heads the army's special forces unit, did not say on Monday when the new government would be in place.

He said in his statement "a consultation will be launched to set down the broad parameters of the transition, and then a government of national union will be established to steer the transition.”

He told former ministers that they could not leave the country and had to hand over their official vehicles to the military. He also announced the reopening of land and air borders.