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Burkina Faso president defies calls to step down Burkina Faso crisis: Blaise Compaore faces new protests
(about 1 hour later)
Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore says he will stay in power for a year under a transitional government, following a day of violent protests demanding his resignation. Protesters are gathering for a second day in the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou, calling on President Blaise Compaore to resign immediately.
He said he was withdrawing a controversial law which would enable him to seek another term in office when his current term ends in 2015. Opposition figures used social media overnight to call for new protests.
On Thursday, protesters angered by his bid to extend his 27-year rule torched parliament and government buildings. They are angry at Mr Compaore, who responded to a day of violence by saying he would stay in power for a year under a transitional government.
They want him to resign immediately. He agreed not to seek another term in office after angry protesters torched government and parliament buildings.
The creation of a transitional government was announced on Thursday by army chief General Honore Traore, who said it would "be put in place in consultation with all parties". The creation of a transitional government was announced by army chief General Honore Traore, who said it would "be put in place in consultation with all parties".
He also declared the dissolution of parliament.He also declared the dissolution of parliament.
"A return to the constitutional order is expected in no more than 12 months," he added, but gave no further details. "A return to the constitutional order is expected in no more than 12 months," Gen Traore added, without giving no further details.
In a TV address later on Thursday, Mr Compaore refused to step down but said he would hand over power once the transitional government had completed its 12-month term. UN chief Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, is expected in Burkina Faso to try to ease the crisis, the UN said.
He also said he was lifting a "state of siege" he had declared earlier.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, will fly to Burkina Faso on Friday to try to ease the crisis, the UN said.
Analysis: Thomas Fessy, BBC West Africa correspondentAnalysis: Thomas Fessy, BBC West Africa correspondent
The president said he was ready to open a political dialogue to set the terms of a transitional government that he would lead until the next presidential election. His current term ends in November next year, so staying in power now would be legal.The president said he was ready to open a political dialogue to set the terms of a transitional government that he would lead until the next presidential election. His current term ends in November next year, so staying in power now would be legal.
But would he be legitimate?But would he be legitimate?
Opposition leaders and protesters say no. They want him to step down now.Opposition leaders and protesters say no. They want him to step down now.
President Compaore appeared to want to calm things down but he spoke like a man who still wants to decide when he goes.President Compaore appeared to want to calm things down but he spoke like a man who still wants to decide when he goes.
That could be the recipe for more unrest.That could be the recipe for more unrest.
In pictures: Political violence hits Burkino FasoIn pictures: Political violence hits Burkino Faso
'Patriotic action' 'Not our president'
In a message broadcast by a local TV station after the general's statement, Mr Compaore said he welcomed the military's "patriotic action". Opponents of Mr Compaore were seen gathering in Ouagadougou's main square, Place de la Nation, and outside the army headquarters on Friday.
He said he would hand over power to a democratically elected government after the transitional administration had completed its term. "We don't want him. We want him out of power. He is not our president," demonstrator Ouedrago Yakubo told Reuters news agency.
He had planned to seek re-election by pushing a constitutional amendment through parliament that would have lifted the limit on presidential terms. The protests were apparently in response to a TV address by Mr Compaore late on Thursday in which he refused to step down.
But the move triggered demonstrations in the capital, Ouagadougou. The president agreed to hand over to a democratically elected government only once the transitional administration had completed its 12-month term.
These protests are the most serious yet against Mr Compaore's rule. He had originally planned to seek re-election by pushing a constitutional amendment through parliament that would have lifted the limit on presidential terms.
But the move triggered Thursday's demonstrations, the most serious yet against Mr Compaore's rule.
At least one person was killed in the protests, says BBC Afrique's Yacouba Ouedraogo in the capital.At least one person was killed in the protests, says BBC Afrique's Yacouba Ouedraogo in the capital.
The main opposition leader, Zephirin Diabre, said dozens of protesters had been killed across the country by the security forces in a "barbaric escalation of violence".The main opposition leader, Zephirin Diabre, said dozens of protesters had been killed across the country by the security forces in a "barbaric escalation of violence".
The military fired live bullets to try to disperse protesters who had occupied parliament, our correspondent says.The military fired live bullets to try to disperse protesters who had occupied parliament, our correspondent says.
Protesters also surged towards the presidential palace, and a government helicopter flying overhead fired tear gas at them, Reuters news agency reported.Protesters also surged towards the presidential palace, and a government helicopter flying overhead fired tear gas at them, Reuters news agency reported.
Witnesses say dozens of soldiers joined the protest in Ouagadougou's main square, including a former defence minister, Gen Kouame Lougue. Witnesses say dozens of soldiers joined the protest, including a former defence minister, Gen Kouame Lougue.
Protesters demanded his installation as president, our reporter says.Protesters demanded his installation as president, our reporter says.
Blaise Compaore
The city hall, the homes of MPs, and an upmarket hotel in Ouagadougou were also set ablaze.The city hall, the homes of MPs, and an upmarket hotel in Ouagadougou were also set ablaze.
Similar protests hit the south-western city of Bobo Dioulasso, and other towns in the poor West African state.Similar protests hit the south-western city of Bobo Dioulasso, and other towns in the poor West African state.
State television went off air after protesters ransacked its headquarters.State television went off air after protesters ransacked its headquarters.
Blaise Compaore
Mr Compaore first took power in a coup in 1987, and has won four disputed elections since then.Mr Compaore first took power in a coup in 1987, and has won four disputed elections since then.
A former soldier, he has faced outbreaks of violence on several occasions, including a military mutiny in 2011.A former soldier, he has faced outbreaks of violence on several occasions, including a military mutiny in 2011.
Correspondents say he has always managed to stay in power by using a combination of conciliation and moderate force.Correspondents say he has always managed to stay in power by using a combination of conciliation and moderate force.
But the current tensions have been building for several months, and it is not clear whether he can survive this time.But the current tensions have been building for several months, and it is not clear whether he can survive this time.
Mr Compaore is a staunch ally of the US and France, which uses Burkina Faso as a base for military operations against militant Islamists in the Sahel region.Mr Compaore is a staunch ally of the US and France, which uses Burkina Faso as a base for military operations against militant Islamists in the Sahel region.
But the country is one of West Africa's poorest, and is vulnerable to changes in world prices for cotton, the economic mainstay of many Burkinabes.But the country is one of West Africa's poorest, and is vulnerable to changes in world prices for cotton, the economic mainstay of many Burkinabes.
Are you in Burkina Faso? Send us your eyewitness accounts and views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Burkina Faso? Send us your eyewitness accounts and views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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