Update: Guinea crisis calming, no evacuation - Russian diplomats

MOSCOW, February 28 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Foreign Ministry said there was no need to evacuate Russians from Guinea because the situation in the bauxite-rich country was returning to normal after two months of union strikes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier ordered the partial evacuation of Russian citizens and people from other ex-Soviet republics from Guinea over safety concerns.

"The situation is becoming normal, and there is no question of evacuating Russian citizens yet," a ministry official said.

Clashes between government forces and unions acting in concert with the opposition have left 110 people dead in the West African nation. The confrontation ended Monday after the Guinean president, Lansana Conte, appointed a new prime minister, Lansana Kouyate, from a list of candidates supplied by the participants in the uprising.

The official said about 60 Russian Embassy officials and representatives of Russian businesses were staying in Guinea.

Russia's aluminum giant, RusAl, which produces 10% of the world's aluminum, has Russian employees working in its Guinea offices. RusAl holds 100% control of Guinea's Friguia SA, and 100% in its managing company, Alumina Company of Guinea Limited.