The African Union said on Monday it has suspended Guinea's membership after a coup in the tiny West African nation.

In a statement issued after the 165th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, the pan-African body said it decided "to suspend the participation of Guinea in the activities of the AU until the return to constitutional order in that country."

The decision was made "in accordance with the relevant provisions of the AU Constitutive Act and the Lome Declaration of July 2000 on unconstitutional changes of government," said the statement.

The military junta led by Moussa Camara launched a coup on Tuesday, hours after the announcement of death of President Lansana Conte who had ruled Guinea for 24 years.

The coup leader has declared no intention of running for the presidency in December 2010, which is set by the military junta.

Camara seemed in triumph when Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare led his team of government to the Alpha Yaya Diallo barracks on Thursday, surrendering to him after days of resistance.

The self-proclaimed president Camara vowed Saturday to tackle corruption and renegotiate mining contracts when he addressed a public meeting.

"We have blocked the mining sector. There will be a renegotiation of contracts," he was quoted as saying.

With an area of 245,857 square km and a population of 9.56 million, the West African country is known for its rich mineral deposits, especially bauxite which accounts for half of the world's total reserves. The country, however, remains one of the poorest in the world.

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2008)