( CNN ) -- The leader of this week 's coup in Guinea assured senior officials Thursday `` they are safe , '' a journalist with the state-run newspaper told CNN . Capt . Moussa Dadis Camara with Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare . Coup leader Capt . Moussa Dadis Camara met with Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare and about 30 other top officials at a military camp in Conakry , the nation 's capital , said Ousmane Barry , a correspondent for the state-run Horoya newspaper . Camara has declared himself president of the National Council for Democracy , which he called a transitional body that will oversee the country 's return to democracy . In effect , that makes Camara president of Guinea , which was thrown into turmoil Monday after the death of President Lansana Conte . Souare called Camara `` Mr. President '' at Thursday 's meeting , which was witnessed by journalists , Barry said . The two men also discussed Conte 's funeral , scheduled for Friday . Camara has suspended the government , constitution , political parties and trade unions and formed his own government , Africa News reporter Mamdou Dian Donghol Diallo told CNN on Wednesday . The newly formed government , made up of 26 military personnel and six civilians , is negotiating a power-sharing deal that would reflect its ethnic make-up , Diallo said . International institutions , including the African Union , have condemned the coup . `` What we want to see is the transition to a more democratic governing structure for the people of Guinea , '' U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said earlier this week . Guinea , in western Africa bordering the Atlantic Ocean , has had only two presidents since gaining independence from France in 1958 . Conte came to power in 1984 , when the military seized control of the government after the death of the first president , Sekou Toure . The country did not hold democratic elections until 1993 , when Conte was elected president . He was re-elected in 1998 and 2003 amid allegations of electoral irregularities . Worsening economic conditions and dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes in 2006 , the CIA World Factbook says . A third nationwide strike in early 2007 sparked violent protests that resulted in two weeks of martial law . To appease the unions and end the unrest , the Factbook says , Conte named a new prime minister in March 2007 .
Safety guarantees given to leading Guinea officials , reporter tells CNN . Coup leaders made Capt . Moussa Dadis Camara de facto president . Camara met prime minister and about 30 other top officials . President Lansana Conte died Monday after near 25-year rule .