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World

Burkina Faso junta release prime minister as solders continue converging on capital

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    In this photo taken Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, a protestor holds a bike in the air as he and others protest against a recent coup in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Demonstrators took to the streets of Burkina Faso's capital Monday, burning tires to protest a proposed compromise solution to the country's deepening political crisis as tensions mounted over military rule. Regional mediators spent the weekend trying to broker a compromise between the junta that seized power in a coup last week and other politicians in this West African country. They announced a plan late Sunday that calls for new elections by the end of November. (AP Photo/Theo Renaut) (The Associated Press)

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    In this photo taken Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, anti coup protestors with arms in the air protest against a recent coup in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Demonstrators took to the streets of Burkina Faso's capital Monday, burning tires to protest a proposed compromise solution to the country's deepening political crisis as tensions mounted over military rule. Regional mediators spent the weekend trying to broker a compromise between the junta that seized power in a coup last week and other politicians in this West African country. They announced a plan late Sunday that calls for new elections by the end of November. (AP Photo/Theo Renaut) (The Associated Press)

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    Burkina Faso troops, rear, provide security at a military check point in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. Burkina Faso's coup leader said Tuesday that negotiations are still ongoing even though a deadline given by the military for the junta to disarm has expired. (AP Photo/Theo Renaut) (The Associated Press)

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Burkina Faso's military says that the interim prime minister has been released by the presidential guard that seized power in a coup last week.

The release of Prime Minister Lt. Col. Yacouba Isaac Zida announced early Tuesday came as the National Armed Forces stepped up the pressure on the mutinous soldiers to stand down.

On Monday, the national army said it was sending soldiers from elsewhere around the country to Burkina Faso's capital in a show of force. The statement called on members of the presidential guard to lay down their weapons and return to their barracks.

The coup leader, Gen. Gilbert Diendere, later apologized to the nation through a communique and said he would hand over power to a civilian transitional government.