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Burkina Faso crisis: Opposition urges Compaore to quit Burkina Faso crisis: Opposition urges Compaore to quit
(35 minutes later)
Burkina Faso's opposition has renewed its call for the immediate resignation of President Blaise Compaore as hundreds of protesters gather in the capital, Ouagadougou.Burkina Faso's opposition has renewed its call for the immediate resignation of President Blaise Compaore as hundreds of protesters gather in the capital, Ouagadougou.
A statement by opposition leader Zephirin Diabre urged protesters to occupy public spaces.A statement by opposition leader Zephirin Diabre urged protesters to occupy public spaces.
Demonstrators are angry Mr Compaore has been seeking to amend the constitution to stay in power beyond next year.Demonstrators are angry Mr Compaore has been seeking to amend the constitution to stay in power beyond next year.
He has now agreed not to seek another term but says he will remain till 2015.He has now agreed not to seek another term but says he will remain till 2015.
Mr Compaore's decision came after protesters set fire to parliament and government buildings on Thursday.Mr Compaore's decision came after protesters set fire to parliament and government buildings on Thursday.
The creation of a transitional government to serve until 2015 elections was announced by army chief Gen Honore Traore, who said it would "be put in place in consultation with all parties".The creation of a transitional government to serve until 2015 elections was announced by army chief Gen Honore Traore, who said it would "be put in place in consultation with all parties".
He also declared the dissolution of parliament.He also declared the dissolution of parliament.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, is expected in Burkina Faso to try to ease the crisis, the UN said.UN chief Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, is expected in Burkina Faso to try to ease the crisis, the UN said.
Analysis: Thomas Fessy, BBC West Africa correspondentAnalysis: Thomas Fessy, BBC West Africa correspondent
The president said he was ready to open a political dialogue to set the terms of a transitional government that he would lead until the next presidential election. His current term ends in November next year, so staying in power now would be legal.The president said he was ready to open a political dialogue to set the terms of a transitional government that he would lead until the next presidential election. His current term ends in November next year, so staying in power now would be legal.
But would he be legitimate?But would he be legitimate?
Opposition leaders and protesters say no. They want him to step down now.Opposition leaders and protesters say no. They want him to step down now.
President Compaore appeared to want to calm things down but he spoke like a man who still wants to decide when he goes.President Compaore appeared to want to calm things down but he spoke like a man who still wants to decide when he goes.
That could be the recipe for more unrest.That could be the recipe for more unrest.
In pictures: Political violence hits Burkino FasoIn pictures: Political violence hits Burkino Faso
'Fulfil your responsibilities''Fulfil your responsibilities'
In a statement released on Friday, main opposition leader Zephirin Diabre called on protesters to "maintain the pressure by systematically occupying public spaces".In a statement released on Friday, main opposition leader Zephirin Diabre called on protesters to "maintain the pressure by systematically occupying public spaces".
"The opposition has said and will say again that the precondition for any discussion relating to a political transition is the departure, pure and simple and without condition, of Blaise Compaore," it said."The opposition has said and will say again that the precondition for any discussion relating to a political transition is the departure, pure and simple and without condition, of Blaise Compaore," it said.
Opponents of the president were seen gathering in Ouagadougou's main square, Place de la Nation, and outside the army headquarters on Friday.Opponents of the president were seen gathering in Ouagadougou's main square, Place de la Nation, and outside the army headquarters on Friday.
There were reports of a tense stand-off at the army HQ, with a huge crowd shouting: "Fulfil your responsibilities or we will do so ourselves."There were reports of a tense stand-off at the army HQ, with a huge crowd shouting: "Fulfil your responsibilities or we will do so ourselves."
The BBC's Thomas Fessy says they are hoping the military will rally behind their cause. Another opponent of Mr Compaore, the rap artist Smockey who represents civil society group Le Balai Citoyen, told local radio that the people were "determined once and for all" to remove the president.
But with international diplomats backing the president's offer of talks and opposition leaders refusing to join in, confrontation could sink the country into further violence, our correspondent adds. There were also reports of unrest in the second city of Bobo Dioulasso, with the courts of justice complex on fire.
The BBC's Laeila Adjovi in Ouagadougou says it is unclear whether the army or Mr Compaore is currently in control.
And with international diplomats backing the president's offer of talks and opposition leaders refusing to join in, there are fears that the confrontation could sink the country into further violence.
The president agreed to hand over to a democratically elected government only once the transitional administration had completed its 12-month term.The president agreed to hand over to a democratically elected government only once the transitional administration had completed its 12-month term.
He repeated his position on Friday in an interview for Reuters news agency, saying he had heard the protesters and that all problems could be resolved through dialogue.He repeated his position on Friday in an interview for Reuters news agency, saying he had heard the protesters and that all problems could be resolved through dialogue.
He had originally planned to seek re-election by pushing a constitutional amendment through parliament that would have lifted the limit on presidential terms.He had originally planned to seek re-election by pushing a constitutional amendment through parliament that would have lifted the limit on presidential terms.
But the move triggered Thursday's demonstrations, the most serious yet against Mr Compaore's rule.But the move triggered Thursday's demonstrations, the most serious yet against Mr Compaore's rule.
At least one person was killed in the protests, says BBC Afrique's Yacouba Ouedraogo in the capital.At least one person was killed in the protests, says BBC Afrique's Yacouba Ouedraogo in the capital.
The city hall, the homes of MPs, and an upmarket hotel in Ouagadougou were also set ablaze.The city hall, the homes of MPs, and an upmarket hotel in Ouagadougou were also set ablaze.
Similar protests hit the south-western city of Bobo Dioulasso, and other towns in the poor West African state.Similar protests hit the south-western city of Bobo Dioulasso, and other towns in the poor West African state.
State television went off air after protesters ransacked its headquarters.State television went off air after protesters ransacked its headquarters.
Blaise CompaoreBlaise Compaore
Correspondents say Mr Compaore has always managed to stay in power by using a combination of conciliation and moderate force.Correspondents say Mr Compaore has always managed to stay in power by using a combination of conciliation and moderate force.
But the current tensions have been building for several months, and it is not clear whether he can survive this time.But the current tensions have been building for several months, and it is not clear whether he can survive this time.
Mr Compaore is a staunch ally of the US and France, which uses Burkina Faso as a base for military operations against militant Islamists in the Sahel region.Mr Compaore is a staunch ally of the US and France, which uses Burkina Faso as a base for military operations against militant Islamists in the Sahel region.
But the country is one of West Africa's poorest, and is vulnerable to changes in world prices for cotton, the economic mainstay of many Burkinabes.But the country is one of West Africa's poorest, and is vulnerable to changes in world prices for cotton, the economic mainstay of many Burkinabes.
Are you in Burkina Faso? Send us your eyewitness accounts and views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Burkina Faso? Send us your eyewitness accounts and views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.
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