Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore declared state of emergency and dissolved the government in a bid to defuse protests sparked by his attempt to extend his 27-year rule, as Reuters reported citing local radio. "A state of emergency is declared across the national territory. The chief of the armed forces is in charge of implementing this decision which enters into effect today," said the statement read by a presenter on Radio Omega FM. Compaore also pledged to open talks with the opposition calling on them to end protests. "I dissolve the government from today so as to create conditions for change. I'm calling on the leaders of the political opposition to put an end to the protests. I'm pledging from today to open talks with all the actors to end the crisis," the statement said. Angry protesters went on a rampage in Burkina Faso on Thursday against plans to extend Compaore 27-year rule, setting parliament on fire, breaking into national television station and wreaking havoc across the capital. Protesters joined in Ouagadougou main sqaure, calling for Compaore's immediate resignation, BBC News reported. President Blaise Compaore assumed power in a coup in 1987 and was reelected for four times since then. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/114369.aspx
