We have been concerned by recent events in Guinea and regret the loss of life resulting from clashes between protesters and security forces. In conjunction with the EU and other international partners in Conakry, our ambassador has made several representations to the Guinean Government expressing our concern and our hope that all issues could be resolved peacefully and constitutionally. We note, and welcome, the lifting of martial law on 23 February, the end to the national strike, and the appointment of Lansana Couyate as the new Guinean Premier. We hope that Mr. Couyate will move soon to appoint a new, broadly-based and consensual Government to move Guinea forward.