51 wounded in Guinea opposition demo

CONAKRY (AFP) - Violence broke out during a Guinean opposition demonstration in Conakry Wednesday, leaving at least 51 people wounded including 23 police. a government statement said.

The statement from the offices of government spokesman Albert Damantang Camara said there were "51 wounded by stone throwing, including 23 police officers and 28 civilians. One of the injured officers is in critical condition."

The statement appealed for calm and claimed there was also damage to public and private buildings and vehicles.

Earlier, an opposition official said at least 25 opposition supporters were injured.

Police had fired tear gas to break up a group of demonstrators who had massed in front of the ruling party headquarters to protest against the arrest of one of their comrades.

Thousands had gathered for the latest in a string of demonstrations to demand transparency in elections scheduled for May 12 and protest against the South African company selected to revise the electoral roll.

The vote in the troubled West African country was due to have taken place in 2011 and has been postponed several times already.