African Union Backs Guinea Arms Embargo

The African Union says it is backing a call for an arms embargo on Guinea as a response to the slayings last month of 157 political protesters. The AU said Sunday it was supporting an embargo imposed by the Economic Community of West African States, which has accused military ruler Capt. Moussa Camara of "mass human rights violations" during a Sept. 28 demonstration in which observers said troops opened fire on unarmed protesters, the Voice of America reported. Guinea's military government says only 57 people died, mostly in a crush of people fleeing the main sports stadium in Conakry. The protesters were demanding that Camara not run for president. U.N. Assistant Secretary General Haile Menkerios has arrived in the country to investigate the deaths, the BBC reported. The broadcaster said his arrival is a sign that the world body intends to pursue the matter of the protesters' deaths.