U.S. condemns "brazen" Guinea crackdown

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Tuesday accused Guinea's security forces of "brazen and inappropriate" use of force against civilian protesters and called for the quick release of opposition leaders.

"We demand the immediate release of opposition leaders and a return to civilian rule as soon as possible, a move that the Guinean people themselves continue to demand," the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

The crackdown by Guinea's military killed at least 157 people and injured more than 1,200 in the West African country, the world's biggest bauxite producer, according to local reports.

The State Department noted that "the military also stands accused of carrying out brutal rapes and sexual assaults on women demonstrators and bystanders during its rampage."

The U.S. statement said Washington would also insist that the ruling junta's National Council for Democracy and Development respect commitments it has made and not field candidates for elections scheduled for next year.

It said the United States would continue to monitor "the extralegal actions of the military and government" and work with other countries for a peaceful political transition.

There has been widespread condemnation of Monday's violence, which saw Guinea's security forces attack tens of thousands of protesters calling for military ruler Captain Moussa Dadis Camara to step down.

The violence was the worst since Camara seized control of the former French colony in a December 2008 coup. The junta leader has said he was not responsible for the deaths and has yet to decide on standing in next year's election.

(Reporting by Andrew Quinn; editing by Chris Wilson)