Thousands flee Guinea clampdown

Guinea is home to about half a million refugees from civil wars

Thousands of refugees are fleeing Guinea after President Lansana Conte accused them of involvement in attacks on the West African country's borders.

Civilians and soldiers, let's defend our country together - crush the invaders

President Lansana Conte

There was widespread panic in the capital, Conakry, as security forces and gangs of youths started rounding up refugees from neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone.

According to the United Nations there are an estimated 125,000 Liberians and 330,000 Sierra Leoneans currently in Guinea.

It is the largest number of refugees in any one country in Africa.

"I am giving orders that we bring together all foreigners... so that we know what they are doing... and that we search and arrest suspects," President Conte said in a nationwide broadcast

"They should go home. We know that there are rebels among the refugees," the president added.

President Conte also accused the opposition leader Alpha Conde, who is on trial for sedition, of recruiting mercenaries to topple his government.

Seeking sanctuary

After his speech there were chaotic scenes in Conakry as refugees were locked-up or herded into open fields.

The Sierra Leonean embassy was besieged by frightened nationals seeking refuge.

About 3,000 refugees, mainly elderly people and women with babies and young children, were reported to have gathered in the embassy's compound on Saturday afternoon.

President Conte also called for the mobilisation of the nation's forces to fight rebels who have been involved in persistent cross-border raids.

Charles Taylor has accused Guinea of harbouring rebels

"Civilians and soldiers, let's defend our country together. Crush the invaders... because they have chosen war, we will fight them. The gun is our last resort, " he said.

Nearly 80 people have been killed in cross-border raids since the start of this month.

Volatile borders

The Liberian Government condemned as "inhumane" the treatment by Guinea of Liberian nationals in Conakry.

President Charles Taylor of Liberia has repeatedly accused Guinea of harbouring rebels who have been attacking Liberia's northern Lofa county.

But a Liberian Government statement said the incident would not sour the cordial ties between the two countries.

Correspondents say the war in the region has led to the creation of a volatile triangle along the borders of Guinea, Liberian and Sierra Leone.