In its report "Guinea: Ensuring Democratic Reforms" the group dismissed Conte's "military and predatory exercise of power" as "outdated".

Conte, 74, has ruled the West African nation with an iron fist since 1984. In the past months he has seen both a mutiny by soldiers and police protests which left more than six people dead and dozens wounded, according to official figures.

"The mutiny by soldiers, unrest within the national police and strike action by customs officials are symptoms of the disintegration of the state and its incapacity to provide security," the ICG warned.

"If Conte and (Prime Minister Tidiane) Souare cannot find a solution to the continued security sector unrest, the risk of a military coup, with its possible violence and ethnic divisions, cannot be ruled out," it added.

According to the think tank the idea was being floated in unspecified circles of a "good military coup" that would mean the end to Conte's rule and hopefully a transition to democracy under progressive military rulers.

However, the ICG warned that the idea was dangerous and called for a "gradual political transition".

A priority in the transition should be "the organisation of legislative elections in December 2008" in the presence of West African and international observers, the ICG said.

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