Calm urged after Burkina shooting

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The government of Burkina Faso has appealed for calm after soldiers fired shots in the capital after the death of a comrade in a brawl with police.

Soldiers fired into the air on Wednesday in the centre of Ouagadougou sending passers-by fleeing.

At least two policemen were wounded in clashes with soldiers.

In a statement read on national television, the defence and security ministers appealed to soldiers and police to show restraint.

They also promised that the authorities would investigate the death.

Shops in central Ouagadougou closed their shutters and residents hurried indoors during the disturbances.

Soldiers pulled down the fence at the city jail, the guards having fled, allowing several dozen prisoners escape, according to an AFP journalist.