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Burkina Faso crisis: Shots fired at state TV station Burkina Faso crisis: Shots fired at state TV station
(35 minutes later)
Burkina Faso's state TV has gone off air, shortly after gunshots were heard at its headquarters. Burkina Faso's state TV has gone off air, shortly after soldiers fired gunshots at its headquarters, forcing protesters and journalists to disperse.
Witnesses told the BBC soldiers fired in the air to disperse protesters before forcing journalists to flee.
Elsewhere in the capital, Ouagadougou, soldiers cleared thousands of demonstrators from a city square and barricaded the area.Elsewhere in the capital, Ouagadougou, soldiers cleared thousands of demonstrators from a city square and barricaded the area.
The army seized power on Friday after long-time leader Blaise Compaore quit following days of protests.The army seized power on Friday after long-time leader Blaise Compaore quit following days of protests.
The takeover brought global condemnation and prompted further protests. The UN has condemned the military takeover and threatened sanctions.
Many thousands had gathered at various places around Ouagadougou on Sunday to demonstrate against the army. West Africa envoy Mohamed Ibn Chambas said the military must allow a civilian transfer of power.
The BBC's Laeila Adjovi in Ouagadougou says crowds gathered at the state TV headquarters because they believed opposition leader Saran Sereme was about to announce that she was willing to lead the transition. The army named Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida as the leader of a transitional government on Saturday .
Shortly after she arrived, gunfire broke out and both staff and protesters fled. Thousands of protesters had gathered at various places around Ouagadougou on Sunday to demonstrate against the army.
There were chaotic scenes as both opposition leader Saran Sereme and former defence minister Kwame Lougue turned up at the state TV headquarters.
The crowds believed Ms Sereme was about to announce that she was willing to lead the transition, the BBC's Laeila Adjovi in Ouagadougou reports.
Report suggest retired General Lougue also intended to announce that he could lead the country.
However, shortly after they arrived, gunfire broke out and staff and protesters fled.
National television and radio have stopped broadcasting, our correspondent says.
Witnesses told the BBC that soldiers fired in the air to disperse protesters before forcing journalists to leave.
"We went to the national TV [station] to try to understand what is going to happen, and while a colonel was reassuring us, some troops arrived and started to shoot," protester Amadou Yamiro told the BBC."We went to the national TV [station] to try to understand what is going to happen, and while a colonel was reassuring us, some troops arrived and started to shoot," protester Amadou Yamiro told the BBC.
"We don't want the army to be in power, especially the special presidential regiment," he added."We don't want the army to be in power, especially the special presidential regiment," he added.
Troops also barricaded the capital's main square, Place de la Nation.Troops also barricaded the capital's main square, Place de la Nation.
Sanctions threatSanctions threat
Mass protests first erupted last week when long-time leader Mr Compaore attempted to extend his 27-year rule.Mass protests first erupted last week when long-time leader Mr Compaore attempted to extend his 27-year rule.
Parts of parliament building were set on fire, and the president fled to Ivory Coast. Parts of the parliament building were set on fire, and the president fled to Ivory Coast.
The army quickly stepped in to fill the power vacuum, declaring Lt Col Isaac Zida the nation's transitional leader. The army quickly stepped in to fill the power vacuum, declaring that Lt Col Isaac Zida would be the country's transitional leader.
Col Zida was second-in-command of the presidential guard, and his selection apparently came after a power struggle with the overall army chief, Gen Honore Traore. He was second-in-command of the presidential guard, and his selection apparently came after a power struggle with the overall army chief, Gen Honore Traore.
Under Burkina Faso's constitution, the president of the Senate should take over after the national president resigns and election should take place between 60 and 90 days afterwards. Many protesters had called for Gen Lougue to lead a transitional government instead.
The African Union, UN, the US and regional economic bloc Ecowas have all condemned the military takeover. However, in an interview with BBC Afrique (in French), the retired general said he had been marginalised by his military colleagues.
UN West Africa envoy Mohamed Ibn Chambas said the military could face sanctions if they refused to hand power to civilians. He was forced to leave military negotiations after the atmosphere became tense and he began to fear for his life, he said.
Under Burkina Faso's constitution, the president of the Senate should take over after the national president resigns and an election should take place between 60 and 90 days afterwards.
The African Union, the US and regional economic bloc Ecowas have all condemned the military takeover.
While Mr Compaore's attempt to extend his time in office was the immediate trigger for the protests, analysts say high prices, low wages and persistent poverty have also fuelled discontent.While Mr Compaore's attempt to extend his time in office was the immediate trigger for the protests, analysts say high prices, low wages and persistent poverty have also fuelled discontent.
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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