Politics
Presidential guard officers in Burkina Faso have seized power in a coup, with reports of more than 10 deaths amid protests in the capital, Ouagadougou, writes the BBC.
A close ally of former President Blaise Compaore has been named the country's new leader, state television reports.
The U.S., France and African Union (AU) condemned the coup in the former French colony. Those killed were shot dead.
The claim by the influential Balai Citoyen group could not be independently verified.
A medical source in the city's main hospital said three people had been killed. An unknown number of protesters have been detained.
The coup leaders have imposed a night-time curfew across the West African state, and have ordered the closure of land and air borders, AFP news agency reports.
The headquarters of Mr Compaore's Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) party were ransacked in Ouagadougou as news of the coup spread, it adds.
Burkina Faso's interim President Michel Kafando has been freed and is in good health, the new junta leaders say. They have also agreed to the "principle of dialogue", as two West African presidents come to mediate.
However Prime Minister Isaac Zida, who once held a top presidential guard (RSP) post, remains under house arrest.
The coup was launched by members of the RSP and at least three have died in protests after an ally of ex-President Blaise Compaore was named leader. The U.S., France and the AU have condemned the takeover in the former French colony.
