Burkina Faso braced for protests after army seizes power

Gunfire broke out at the headquarters of state-run RTB Television in Burkina Faso's capital, a Reuters witness said, amid a power struggle in the wake of the resignation of the country's long-standing President Blaise Compaore.

The shots were fired shortly after the arrival of Saran Sereme, the head of opposition party PDC, and about 100 of her supporters.

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

Burkina Faso's military chief General Honore Traore initially announced he had taken over as the West African nation's head of state from President Blaise Compaore following his reported resignation on Friday.

The country's top military officials have since thrown their support behind presidential guard Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida as leader of a transitional government, sidelining General Traore.

But a coalition of Burkina Faso's opposition parties and civil society organisations confirmed they would take to the streets to dispute the takeover.

Burkina Faso's top military officials have thrown their support behind presidential guard Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida as leader of a transitional government following the resignation of President Blaise Compaore, sidelining the head of the army.

"Lieutenant Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida has been elected unanimously to lead the transition period opened after the departure of President Blaise Compaore," said a statement issued after military chiefs met to decide on a dispute between Zida and General Honore Traore over who would take power.

Burkina Faso's former President Blaise Compaore has arrived in the Ivory Coast, military sources have told Reuters.

A second high-ranking army officer in Burkina Faso has announced he his taking charge as head of state, apparently in direct challenge to top military chief General Honore Traore who had already proclaimed himself temporary leader.

According to Reuters, Former presidential guard commander Lieutenant Colonel Issaac Zida has dictated his own set of emergency measures and put his own soliders on the streets.

Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore resigned on Friday amid mass street protests at his attempts to extend his 27-year rule, plunging the West African nation into the chaotic situation that now exits in the country.

Burkina Faso's military chief General Honore Traore announced he has taken over as head of state from President Blaise Compaore.

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

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.

Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore has declared that he will stay in power at the head of a transitional government until after elections, rejecting opposition calls for him to step down immediately following a day of violent protests calling for him to resign.

Protesters stormed parliament and state television buildings in the capital Ouagadougou after Compaore declared his plans to change the law to allow him to extend his 27-year rule.

At least three protesters were shot dead and scores wounded in clashes with security forces.

Burkina Faso's top military chief has announced the dissolution of the national assembly and the creation of a "national transitional government", although he did not say who would lead it.

More: Burkina Faso president declares state of emergency

The leader of the anti-government protesters in Burkina Faso, Zephirin Diabre, has rejected the president's declaration of a state of emergency, Reuters have reported.

Diabre called on supporters to show that they were against the state of emergency announced after thousands of protesters stormed parliament and state television, forcing the government to abandon plans to change the constitution to allow Compaore to stand for relection next year.