Guinea coup leaders to meet envoys

CONAKRY, Guinea, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The new ruling military junta in Guinea says it will hold talks with foreign envoys to explain its coup and to reassure the international community.

The meetings were expected to be held Saturday in Guinea's capital Conakry, the BBC reported.

The coup was led by a junior army officer following the death of veteran strongman President Lansana Conte last week and has been condemned internationally. The U.S. embassy in Conakry is urging an immediate return to civilian rule, while European Union president France also said a vote should be held soon, the broadcaster said.

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, however, has urged the world community to recognize the junta while coup leaders have promised to stamp out corruption and hold elections in 2010.