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                    Lt. Colonel Taking Power in Burkina Faso

   by VOA News

   A lieutenant colonel in Burkina Faso's presidential guard has declared
   himself the new head of state.

   Yacouba Issac Zida said Saturday in a statement broadcast on the radio
   and posted on the Internet that he is assuming the "responsibilities of
   head of this transition and head of state to guarantee the continuity
   of the state."

   "While waiting to define in a consensual manner, with all the political
   parties and civil society organizations, the content and the contours
   of this peaceful democratic transition, I assume from today the
   responsibilities of head of this transition and head of state to
   guarantee the continuity of the state," he said. "I call on the
   international community, in particularly countries that are friends and
   allies of Burkina Faso, notably in the African Union and ECOWAS, to
   demonstrate their understanding and support our people in this
   difficult time.''

   ''The president of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaore stepped down after
   protesters stormed parliament and set the building ablaze, ending his
   27-year reign and sparking a struggle in the military for control of
   the West African country.

   On Friday Zida, representing a group of junior army officers, said the
   group had "taken the destiny of the nation in hand" while the
   constitution was suspended and a transitional government was in
   formation.

   ''Earlier Friday, General Honore Traore said he was assuming
   "responsibilities as head of state."

   It was not immediately clear if Traore accepted Zida's announcement
   Saturday or whether the group of army officers had approved Zida's move
   to become the new head of state.

   In resigning Friday Compaore had called for a 90-day transition period
   leading to elections. He ruled the country for 27 years after seizing
   power in a 1987 coup.

   Unrest had broken out Thursday as lawmakers prepared to vote on a
   constitutional amendment that would have allowed Compaore to run for
   another term.

   The government withdrew the amendment after protests became violent.

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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/lt-colonel-taking-power-in-burkina-faso/2504328.html