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Burkina Faso coup: Junta insists on staying on

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The general who led a coup in Burkina Faso this week insists on remaining in power until polls are held, according to a document seen by the BBC.

The general who led a coup in Burkina Faso this week insists on remaining in power until polls are held, according to a document seen by the BBC.

BBC

Gen Gilbert Diendere made the proposal at talks brokered by West African mediators in the capital Ouagadougou.

On Saturday one of the mediators had spoken of a breakthrough and hinted at a new transition government reinstating interim President Michel Kafando.

At least 10 people have been killed in clashes since Thursday’s coup.

The overthrow of the civilian interim government – carried out by the presidential guard – was widely condemned. Burkina Faso has been suspended from the African Union.

Hotel violence

BBC West Africa reporter Thomas Fessy says the junta’s proposal is unlikely to signal a return to power of the civilian authorities.

The document, signed by Gen Diendere and exclusively seen by the BBC, says he should remain president until elections – currently due on 11 October.

This is in stark contradiction to the optimism shown on Saturday by one of the mediators, Benin President Yayi Boni, who suggested the presidential guard might give up power, our correspondent adds.

Gen Diendere was chief of staff of former President Blaise Compaore, who was deposed in a popular uprising last October.