Nairobi/Conakry, Guinea  - A top United Nations official was in
Guinea Monday to discuss a probe into a massacre of opposition
supporters as international pressure grew on the West African nation's
military regime.

Security forces opened fire on an estimated
50,000 demonstrators at a stadium in the capital Conakry in early
October, killing 157.

The crowd was protesting against junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara's rumoured decision to run for president.

Haile
Menkerios, a diplomatic troubleshooter in the UN political affairs
department, met Camara on Sunday and is also due to meet regional
leaders.

The African Union had given Camara until Saturday night
to confirm that he would not be standing for president, as he initially
promised after seizing power. Sanctions could now be slapped on the
nation after he failed to do so.

The 15-member Economic
Community of West African States on Saturday followed up its suspension
of Guinea by placing an arms' embargo on the country.

Camara has apologized for the massacre and attempted to blame it on undisciplined soldiers.

The
official death toll has been put at 57, but the Guinean Organization
for the Defence of Human Rights says it counted 157 bodies and more
than 1,200 injured.

Witnesses said that troops also sexually assaulted female protestors during the crackdown.

Camara
was an unknown until he took control of the West African nation in
December, following the death of strongman president Lansana Conte.

While
Camara initially said he would not attempt to rule in the long-term, he
is widely expected to announce he will run as a candidate in January
2010's presidential elections.

Analysts say that further opposition rallies and consequent violence are likely should Camara run. (dpa)