Burkina Faso Coup: Soldiers fire in air to disperse protesters

The protesters demanded the release of the interim president and members of his government detained by the presidential guard on Wednesday, and the organisation of elections as scheduled for Oct. 11.

Security forces in the capital of Burkina Faso fired in the air on Friday to disperse demonstrators who burned tyres and blocked neighbourhood streets to protest at a military coup this week that derailed a democratic transition.

The protesters demanded the release of the interim president and members of his government detained by the presidential guard on Wednesday, and the organisation of elections as scheduled for Oct. 11.

The head of Burkina Faso's transitional parliament on Thursday called on the armed forces to step in and halt a coup by "a small group" of military officials, and said he would assume leadership until the president was released.