Burkina Faso coup leader seeks refuge in foreign embassy, government negotiating his surrender

FILE - In this Wednesday Sept. 23, 2015 file photo, Burkina Faso coup leader Gen. Gilbert Diendere, center, greets people at the airport during the arrival of Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou for talks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso's army took over the barracks of the presidential guard that carried out a short-lived coup this month, barraging them with gunfire Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015 after they refused to disarm, the government said. Gen. Gilbert Diendere, who led the coup earlier this month but handed power back last week, called on his followers to lay down arms. (AP Photo, File) (The Associated Press)

Burkina Faso's transitional president Michel Kafando, center, briefs media surrounded by members of the army that did not support the recent coup in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. Burkina Faso's army took over the barracks of the presidential guard that carried out a short-lived coup this month, barraging them with gunfire Tuesday after they refused to disarm, the government said. (AP Photo/Theo Renaut) (The Associated Press)

Burkina Faso's transitional president Michel Kafando, second left, briefs media surrounded by members of the army that did not support the recent coup in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. Burkina Faso's army took over the barracks of the presidential guard that carried out a short-lived coup this month, barraging them with gunfire Tuesday after they refused to disarm, the government said. (AP Photo/Theo Renaut) (The Associated Press)

Burkina Faso's government says the military general who led the recent short-lived coup has sought protection in a foreign embassy, a day after the army opened fire on his supporters in the presidential guard to force them to disarm.

In a communique Wednesday, the government said negotiations are underway for Gen. Gilbert Diendere to give himself up.

Diendere told The Associated Press he is willing to turn himself over to face justice. He said he wants Burkina Faso to resolve its crisis through dialogue. He said he was in Ouagadougou, the capital, but would not say where. He handed back power on Sept. 23 to a transitional government.

Burkina Faso's army took over the barracks of the presidential guard, barraging it with gunfire Tuesday after they wouldn't disarm.