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Burkina Faso braced for protests after army seizes power

Opposition parties in Burkina Faso have rejected the military's disputed bids to seize power and confirmed they will stage protests tomorrow following large unrest in the West African country.

The country's top military officials have thrown their support behind presidential guard Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida as leader of a transitional government, sidelining an earlier bid by head of the army General Honore Traore, after Blaise Comparore resigned from his presidency.

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Burkina Faso's president 'resigns', army colonel says

Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore has resigned, Burkina24 television reported, citing an army colonel.

Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore 'has resigned'. Credit: Ute Grabowsky/DPA/Press Association Images

Lieutenant-Colonel Issaac Zida made the announcement in the capital Ouagadougou.

Thousands of people had stormed parliament and state television buildings in protest at plans by the president to change the law to enable him to extend his 27-year rule.

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