20100106

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. and French diplomats have met members of Guinea's ruling junta in Morocco in hopes of speeding a return to democracy in the troubled West African nation, the U.S. State Department said on Monday.

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson and his French counterpart met in Morocco with a group led by Defence Minister Sekouba Konate, who assumed interim control over Guinea after military ruler Moussa Dadis Camara was severely wounded in a failed assassination bid on December 3.

Camara remains hospitalized in Morocco and his health status is uncertain.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the meeting conveyed "our ideas on how to seek a peaceful resolution to the political situation in Guinea," including moving toward a civilian-led transitional government and eventual free and fair elections.

Asked if progress was more likely if Camara remained outside the country, Crowley answered, "Yes."

Another U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the meeting in Rabat made progress.

U.S. officials say Konate may be amenable to moves to resolve the crisis in Guinea, the world's largest producer of aluminum ore bauxite and considered a linchpin of stability in a region recovering from three civil wars.

Camara took power in a bloodless coup in December 2008. He drew broad international condemnation and sanctions after gunmen killed and raped scores of people protesting against his rule on September 28.