Burkina Faso 'coup': presidential guard dissolves cabinet

Lieutenant-Colonel Mamadou Bamba declared on national television on Thursday that a new "National Democratic Council" had ended "the deviant regime of transition."

"The National Transition Council has been dissolved... Wide-ranging talks are being held to form a government... to lead to inclusive and peaceful elections," Bamba said.

Lieutenant-Colonel told viewers that Burkina Faso's interim president had also been stripped of his powers.

Bamba's announcement on Thursday came just a day after members of the presidential guard who are loyal to ousted ex-leader Blaise Compaore stormed a cabinet meeting and seized interim President Michel Kafando, Prime Minister Isaac Zida and two ministers.

An uprising, triggered by Compaore's attempt to extend his 27-year rule, led to him been overthrown in October last year. He is currently in exile in Ivory Coast.

'Clearly a coup'

Warning shots were also heard from soldiers in the capital's Independence Square on Thursday as crowds of demonstrators gathered to protest against the apparent seizure power. Voters had been due to head to the polls on October 18 to elect a replacement for Compaore.

Interim parliament speaker Cheriff Sy denounced the actions of the presidential guard. He told French radio station RFI that what was happening in the west African state was "clearly a coup" and called on the people to "immediately rise up" in response.

The capture of Burkina Faso's leaders was met with international condemnation on Wednesday. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the situation as a "flagrant violation of Burkina Faso's constitution and transitional charter." The European Union (EU) also called for their immediate release.

ksb/jil (Reuters, AFP, dpa)