Massive street protests in Burkina Faso demand president's resignation

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Calls for President Blaise Compaore's resignation intensified Friday, as tens of thousands took to the streets of Burkina Faso a day after martial law was imposed.

Protesters on Thursday stormed the Parliament in Ouagadougou, where a proposed constitutional amendment to extend the presidential term limit was to be debated. Protesters set the Parliament on fire along with city hall and the headquarters of the ruling political party. The proposed amendment would allow the president, who seized power in 1987 and has since won four disputed elections over a 27-year rule, to run for president again.

In response to the unrest, a government spokesman announced Thursday that the contentious piece of legislation had been withdrawn from consideration. The military dissolved the Parliament, announcing a transitional government would be put in place after elections. A declaration of martial law was rescinded hours later.

The U.S. applauded Compaore's decision on Thursday to withdraw the proposed bill and "his decision to form a government of national unity to prepare for national elections and to transfer power to a democratically elected successor."

Compaore indicated he is not yet prepared to give up his power when he announced late Thursday that he intends to head the interim government.

Despite his proclamations, it is unclear whether he is still in control.

An Army spokesman told protesters Friday that Compaore was no longer in power.

The opposition continued on Friday to call for the president's immediate departure.

"The opposition remains firm that a prerequisite to any discussion on a transition is the unconditional departure of Mr. Blaise Compaore... The opposition calls on the people of Burkina Faso to maintain the pressure and systematically occupy all public places."