Guei eyes presidency

Guei (left): Has now revealed his hand

Ivory Coast's military leader, General Robert Guei, has confirmed that he will stand as a candidate in the forthcoming presidential elections.

But according to a senior aide he will not seek the nomination of the former ruling party, the Democratic Party (PDCI).

Balla Keita said the general was above party politics and that he would be standing in the name of all regions and political groups.

General Guei ousted the elected government in December 1999, but promised to return the country to democratic rule.

Mr Keita said that although General Guei was standing independently, he still had the support of a large number of PDCI members.

Last week's announcement by the PDCI that General Guei was to seek the party's nomination caused widespread concern among supporters of the ousted president, and PDCI leader, Henri Konan Bedie.

Mr Bedie had said he also planned to become the party's presidential candidate.

Criticism

Earlier, prominent opposition leader Alassane Ouattara criticised General Guei's plans to stand in the presidential elections.

Ivory Coast - Key dates

1960 - Independence from France

Oct 95 - Presidential elections

24 Dec 99 - General Guei ousts civilian President Henri Konan Bedie in coup

28 Dec 99 - Guei says he will restore constitutional rule

4 July 00 - Hundreds of soldiers mutiny over pay

23-24 July 00 - New constitution approved by referendum

17 Sep 00 - Presidential election to be held

Mr Ouattara said that if General Guei wanted to contest the vote, then he should resign, saying there was no place for soldiers in government.

The United States, the former colonial power France and pro-democracy pressure groups have all urged General Guei to withdraw from the race.

The deadline for presidential nominations is this Thursday.

And the Supreme Court has until 2 September to rule on who can contest the poll.