UPDATED — Oct. 31, 2014 9:40 a.m. ET
Army chief Honoré Traoré declared himself the president of Burkina Faso.
Traoré will be the head of state during the 90-day transition to elections.
President Blaise Compaore said he has stepped down a day after violent protests in Burkina Faso.
Compaore called for a 90-day transition to elections.
President Blaise Compaore is no longer in power, an army official told demonstrators, BBC reported.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Ouagadougou to demand President Compaore's resignation on Friday.
Thousands stormed Burkina Faso's parliament and set it ablaze Thursday to protest against President Blaise Compaore's plan to extend his 27-year rule.
UPDATE — 3:33 p.m. ET: The army announced a 12-month transition and a curfew in Burkina Faso.
The army has announced a 12-month transition (no word who leads) and a curfew, 19h to 6am GMT v @Bambyam #lwili #Burkina #BurkinFaso
UPDATE — 1:08 p.m. ET: President Compaore reportedly "dissolves government."
#Burkina: Communique being read on radio President #Compaore says he has "dissolved government", asks opp to end protests #Lwili
Compaore declared a state of emergency, asked opposition to end the violence.
#Burkina - Communique declaring state of emergency comes from Presidency- asks Army Chief to apply provisions
#Burkina - President #Compaore in a communique being read on radio says he "has withdrawn constitutional reform law", calls for calm #Lwili
Protestors still gathered in front of army hq #burkina
Amidst increasing violence, the government suspended the parliamentary vote, BBC reported.
#Burkina govt spox says withdrew bill proposing change to constitution, but at same time gunfire heard coming from presidential palace
Official. #BurkinaFaso government spokesman announces that vote on constitutional change has been annulled. #lwili
#Burkina government scraps plans for constitutional vote but will it be enough now that parliament burnt, protesters shot in the streets?
Reports claimed the army had taken control.
General Kouamé Lougué declares that the Military has taken over power. I'm done for the day. #BurkinaFaso #lwili
#Burkina: Reports claiming army has "taken over" - army leaders mixing with/talking to protesters Place de la Nation #Lwili
Saw miltary firing on protestors in front of Francois compaores house and in front of the presidency #burkina #lwili
French President François Hollande reportedly wrote a letter to Compaore on Oct. 7 warning him to avoid nonconsensual changes in the constitution.
<img src="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v1/72x72/201c.png">@elizco: #Exclusif : la lettre de François Hollande à Blaise #Compaoré #Burkina #lwili http://t.co/r4EtVN3QYf <img src="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v1/72x72/201d.png">
The letter, published by the French weekly Jeune Afrique, said that France would support Compaore in the international community if he set an example of democracy and governance for Mali and the region.
Gunfire was reportedly heard near the Presidential Palace.
#Burkina protester reported shot dead while parliament set ablaze, ruling party hq said ransacked. Gunfire reportedly heard near presidency.
The White House expressed concern about the "deteriorating situation" in Burkina Faso and called on all sides to end the violence.
In a statement Wednesday, National Security Council Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan said:
The United States is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Burkina Faso resulting from efforts to amend the constitution to enable the incumbent head of state to seek another term after 27 years in office. We believe democratic institutions are strengthened when established rules are adhered to with consistency. We call on all parties, including the security forces, to end the violence and return to a peaceful process to create a future for Burkina Faso that will build on Burkina Faso's hard-won democratic gains.
Around 1,500 people broke through security forces and ransacked parliament's offices, burning documents, stealing equipment, and setting cars ablaze, Agence France-Presse reported.
Police fired tear gas at demonstrators, but they managed to break the security cordon.
The protests were part of a civil disobedience campaign by opposition parties ahead of Thursday's vote on a motion that would change the constitution to let Compaore seek re-election next year, Reuters reported.
Protesters reportedly looted buildings owned by the president.
Protesters also ransacked a hotel where where members of the parliament were said to be staying in the capital.
State television reportedly went off air after protesters ransacked the building.
#BURKINAFASO STATE TV GOES OFF AIR AFTER BUILDING STORMED - WITNESS @Reuters #Iwili
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