Burkina police and army in truce

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Clashes between police and soldiers in Burkina Faso that led to five deaths in the past week have ended as both sides' officers agreed to halt hostilities.

The police were taken off the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou, after the fighting, which began a week ago after a soldier died in a brawl with police.

Two police officers and three soldiers were killed and several civilians wounded during shooting that followed.

Police are expected to return to their duties shortly.

"Everybody decided to turn the page after the regrettable incidents," an army officer told AFP news agency after talks between military and police delegations.

The officer said the army had "promised to renounce reprisals against the police, who will be able to return to duty as soon as possible."

The unrest prompted the government to call off the summits of the Economic Community of West African States and the West African Economic and Monetary Union that were meant to take place over the weekend.

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.