In the Guinean capital Conakry, the outbreak of war in the northern part of neighboring Mali between rebels and the army being supported by the French forces dominates conversations in public places, with the majority of citizens backing the intervention of France.

The Mali crisis in which rebels occupied the northern part has been a major concern of the Guinean population.

Mali and Guinea have common socio-cultural values and they share the Malinke language which is spoken by the inhabitants of the Haute Guinea region.

Ibrahima Sylla, a civil servant interviewed by Xinhua in Conakry, is among those who support the recent intervention in northern Mali.

"I am not against dialogue, but you see the Islamists were continuing to advance towards the South, while committing human rights violations against the population.

"From now henceforth, the people living in the occupied zones will feel relieved given that the troops of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will soon be deployed to the region," he said.

Morlaye Camara, a teacher in a Conakry school, has been keenly following what is going on in Mali.

"I am in support of the counter-offensive by the Malian army and its allies against the Islamists who have been occupying the regions of Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal. The people of these three regions have suffered a lot," Camara said.

Tiguidanke Diallo, an employee of a technology firm, does not support the war. She hopes that the two parties can find a solution to the crisis through negotiations.

"It is the civilian population that risks paying a heavy price for the war, and not the protagonists themselves. It should also be noted that the hostilities will result in massive displacement of the population," Diallo said.

Until now, the Guinean government has not yet reacted to the recent development in northern Mali. However, Guinean President Alpha Conde is one of the sub-regional leaders who has intensified appeals for the urgent resolution of the Mali crisis.