Yala presides over one of the world's poorest countries

The leaders of five Portuguese-speaking nations are to hold talks on Friday on elections in Guinea-Bissau, amid international concerns over the fairness of the polls.

The meeting has been called in Luanda by Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who is head of Palop, the five-nation Portuguese-language community.

The United Nations and the European Union have said that the poll, on 20 April must be transparent.

Civil war and political instability have impoverished Guinea-Bissau since its independence from Portugal in the 1970s.

President Kumba Yala, who took power in 2000, dissolved parliament in November last year following a row with his prime minister.

'Vehicles of leisure'

Mr Yala cited the government's lack of credibility and a lack of trust in public institutions.

The election was originally expected to be held in February, within the three-month deadline required under the constitution.

Guinea Bissau has seen much instability in recent years

But the date was changed to 20 April following a meeting with political parties, state media reported.

The last elections to be held in Guinea Bissau were in 1999, and were part of an accord to end a civil war which killed about 2,000 people.

The president had accused Prime Minister Alamara Nhasse's government of being unable to organise tax collection.

The head of state had asked the military to seize the 30 or so vehicles the prime minister had put at the disposal of tax officers to collect tax revenue, saying they were using the "vehicles for their leisure".

In August, Mr Nhasse said there were differences with the president, saying he had not been consulted over dismissals and appointments within the government and the judiciary.