Putschists in Guinea released a group of political opponents of deposed president Alpha Conde on Tuesday, as regional bloc ECOWAS prepares to discuss the turmoil in the troubled country.

Special forces led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya staged a coup in the mineral-rich but impoverished country on Sunday and arrested the President, sparking international condemnation.

The 83-year-old president was under fire for perceived authoritarianism, with dozens of opposition activists arrested after a violently disputed election last year.

An AFP journalist saw about 20 prisoners freed from prison in the capital Conakry on Tuesday evening, including prominent opposition activists.

Lawyers representing the detainees said that 79 people had been cleared for release in discussions with the military.

The military released a communique on Monday urging the Justice Ministry to accelerate the release of "political detainees".

Lt-Col Doumbouya on Tuesday also repeated a pledge to hold talks on forming a new government.