Burkina Faso army backs new leader

Ouagadougou: Burkina Faso military chiefs have backed Isaac Zida as transitional president, an army statement said on Saturday.

The statement appears to end confusion over who has succeeded President Blaise Compaore, who stood down amid unrest. Lt-Col Zida appeared on television overnight to announce that he was taking over as head of state.

His move is being seen as a putsch against the military chief of staff, who had declared himself leader moments after Compaore quit. However, Army Chief General Navere Honore Traore was a signatory to the new army statement which said: "Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Zida was chosen unanimously to lead the transition period opened after the departure of president Compaore".

Colonel Zida, previously second in command of the presidential guard, said he had assumed "the responsibilities of head of the transition and of head of state" to ensure a "smooth democratic transition". A violent Thursday saw protesters set fire to parliament and government buildings in the Burkinabe capital Ouagadougou.

A statement by Colonel Isaac Zida said he had assumed control of Burkina Faso. President Blaise Compaore, who quit after 27 years as president, fled the country and is now in Yamoussoukro, the capital of neighbouring Ivory Coast.