Guinea's military government has put its army on high alert at all border posts after uncovering plans for an attack on the country. The junta says that drug cartels from neighbouring Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Liberia are behind the plans.

West African countries - and particularly Guinea - are key transit areas for drugs en route from South America to Europe. When the junta led by Captain Moussa Camara seized power some seven months ago, it made fighting drugs a top priority issue. The decision has earned the junta many enemies.

Captain Camara says he will stand down after holding free elections. The elections, he says, will take place no later than 2010. The African Union suspended Guinea after the coup, which followed the death of long-standing president Lansana Conte. However, many Guineans welcomed the coup and feel it has brought more economic stability to the country.

 Photo by martapiqs (flickr)