Paris/Dakar/Conakry, Guinea  - Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade Friday called for the international community to support the military junta that has seized power in the west African nation of Guinea.

Wade, who was in Paris, warned against intervention by foreign powers in the internal affairs of Guinea, Senegal's neighbour to the south, Senegalese media reported.

Wade, who spoke to reporters at the residence of the Senegalese ambassador in Paris, asked the European Union, France and the World Bank to support the junta.

The leader of the putschists, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, had asked him to reassure the international community of the junta's good intentions, he said.

The military seized power Tuesday just hours after the death of strongman president Lansana Conte, but were not interested in power for power's sake, but rather in avoiding social and ethnic conflicts, Wade said.

Wade told French broadcaster RFI that the putchists have promised to hold elections, and the military has pledged to return to their barracks.

The junta has invited diplomats to a meeting Saturday to explain its intentions, including representatives of the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union, Camara said Thursday evening on national radio. All three have condemned the putsch.

Conte's death at age 70 ended 24 years of rule. He was buried Friday in his home village about 100 kilometres outside the capital of Conakry.

After being given an ultimatum by Camara, government leaders including Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare and 30 ministers turned themselves over to the military and pledged their support for the new regime. Initially, they insisted they were still in control and called on the international community to intervene.

Camara declared himself president on Wednesday evening after parading past cheering crowds in the streets of the capital Conakry. (dpa)