Talks between Nigerian leader and Togo military-installed president

Togo's military-installed president, Faure Gnassingbe, has met with the head of the &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/politics/2002/07/11/32233.html ' target=_blank>African Union, &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/main/2002/08/15/34562.html' target=_blank>Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is pressuring Mr. Gnassingbe to step down from the presidency.

The Nigerian leader began talks with Mr. Gnassingbe Thursday at the presidential villa outside Abuja, calling it a family meeting where they put their heads together and do what is right.

Mr. Obasanjo said he was confident that an amicable solution would be reached. No details of the talks were immediately available. Togo's 39-year-old leader was accompanied by a large delegation that included some generals, says Voice of America.

African leaders have called the abrupt change of power a military coup and at least four opposition demonstrators have been killed in two days of violent clashes with Togo's security forces in the capital Lome.

While Togolese government officials have said they are prepared to hold presidential elections within 60 days, there has been no official confirmation on this from Gnassingbe, nor on whether he would step aside ahead of any poll.

Togo's constitution still states the head of the national assembly should take over after the death of Gnassingbe Eyadema, who seized power in a coup in 1967 to become Africa's longest serving ruler and crushed any opposition.