Interim leader says elections will be held on June 27

AFP - Guinea is to hold a presidential election on June 27 for the first time since a military coup in December 2008, according to an official decree published on Sunday.

The decree was signed by interim leader General Sekouba Konate.

"The transition president, interim president of the republic, sets the date of the first round of the presidential election for June 27," the decree said.

The main electoral commission proposed the date last month and said a second round should be held on July 18 if no candidate gets an absolute majority.

The commission also proposed that the campaign run from May 17 to June 26.

Military rule was imposed on the resource-rich west African nation within hours of the death of long-time ruler general Lansana Conte in 2008.

A crackdown by the army against a rally in September last year killed 156 protesters, with troops shooting, stabbing and raping opposition supporters.

Guinea's Junta Chief Moussa Dadis Camara, who led the coup, is being treated in Burkina Faso after a trusted lieutenant tried to kill him in December.