Opposition leaders in Guinea rejected Thursday's proposal by the ruling military junta to join a national unity government, saying it was a ploy to divert attention from the violent government crackdown on protesters earlier this week.

On Monday, around 50,000 people had gathered to protest against the possibility of coup leader, Captain Mousseau Dadis Camara, running for the presidency in elections that are due to be held in January 2010. Government forces opened fire on the demonstrators and killed at least 157 people.

Earlier today, Captain Camara called for a United Nations investigation into the violence and said he wanted an African president to mediate in the conflict with the opposition and help form a unity government. Captain Camara seized power in December 2008 after Guinea's long-time dictator Lansana Conté died.
 

Guinea is facing possible international sanctions for Monday's violence; the international community has condemned the junta for the bloodbath. France has called on the European Union to impose sanctions.