GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

Embattled leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), Robert Corbin, has ended months of speculation by announcing his decision to contest the leadership of the main opposition party during the August 21-22 congress.

Corbin told reporters that he had agreed to be nominated by several groups and is part of a team concerned about the future of the party and the country.

"I am part of a team that recognises that the enemy is not within but is the present administration that has been involved in several violations of our constitution, and has indeed put Guyana in a parlous state at this moment," he explained.

Strong challenge

Corbin, who took over the leadership of the party following the death of former president Desmond Hoyte in 2002, faces a strong challenge from the current PNCR co-chairman Basil Williams, former party chairman Winston Murray, Dr Richard Van West Charles a former health minister and son-in-law of the country's first president, Forbes Burnham, Central Executive Committee member Dr Aubrey Armstrong and former general secretary Aubrey Norton.