Paris - The French government Friday formally recommended to its citizens residing in or visiting Guinea to leave the country because of the continuing violence there.

"Criminal acts are increasing, in particular armed attacks. There is no prospect for any improvement in the short term," the ministry said on its website. "It is officially not advised to travel to Guinea and it is recommended that French citizens leave the country."

The situation in Guinea has been unstable since the government violently repressed a demonstration in the capital Conakry by some 50,000 people protesting the decision by junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara to run in the next presidential election, in January 2010. Previously, Camara had said he would not stand for election.

At least 157 people were killed in the put-down of the protest. On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague said it has begun to investigate the events in Guinea. (dpa)