News reports confirmed by presidential sources indicate that President Lansana Conté of Guinea has signed an executive order establishing the nomination of a "consensus prime minister" as demanded by unions.

The prime minister, who is expected to be named shortly, will be the head of the government with broad powers, including the ability to appoint and remove ministers and other senior civil and military officials.

For 17 days now, Conté, who seized power in a 1984 coup but has since won three elections, has been refusing to transfer his executive powers, as demanded by trade unions, which argue that he is too sick to govern and that the country is poorly run. At 72, Conte is known to be suffering from severe diabetes.

On January 10, the unions launched an indefinite, nation-wide strike to protest the high cost of living, mismanagement of the economy and the president's interference with the justice system. In late December, he personally ordered the release of two associates who were imprisoned on corruption charges.

The strike and ensuing clashes between security forces and demonstrators have officially claimed 59 lives so far. Some reports indicate a much higher death toll.