Guinea removed from West African bloc

CONAKRY, Guinea, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- The West African country of Guinea will not be reinstated as a member of a regional bloc until its military leadership holds elections, the group says.

The Economic Community of West African States confirmed it has removed Guinea as a member of the West African bloc amid concerns that constitutional order was not in place throughout the country, the BBC reported Saturday.

Once such order was restored in Guinea through elections, Guinea would be allowed to attend all bloc meetings, the economic group said.

Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, who assumed power in Guinea following the death of President Lansana Conte, has vowed to hold elections within a year.

The military leader, who staged a coup following Conte's death, has also vowed to end all corruption in Guinea.

Since Camara assumed control, the country's membership in the African Union has been suspended and the United States has cut off a majority of its financial aid, the BBC said.