Guinea's wounded junta chief still in hospital

Keita said that Camara's health had "greatly improved" and that - he could be back in a little while.

The head of Guinea's junta, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, wounded in the head on December 3 by his aide de camp, is still recovering in hospital in Morocco, a government minister said Monday.

In response to rumours that Camara had discreetly returned to Conakry, the permanent secretary of the junta, Colonel Moussa Keita, told AFP in Dakar by telephone - He's not yet back, he's still in Rabat, he's resting a bit. -

Keita said that Camara's health had "greatly improved" and that - he could be back in a little while. -

- The president talks to us by telephone. If he doesn't communicate publicly, that's because he wants to respect doctor's orders. -

The self-proclaimed president of Guinea has made no statement or public appearance since he was shot by Lieutenant Aboubacar "Toumba" Sidiki Diakite, who is in hiding.

Camara came to power on December 23, 2008, in a military coup hours after the death of Guinea's strongman Lansana Conte, who had ruled the country since 1984.

Colonel Keita said there will be a meeting on Tuesday of the junta, which calls itself the National Council for Democracy and Development, to discuss - preparations for the anniversary of taking power. -

- There will certainly be festivities, military gatherings and parades in the barracks - the minister said.