Burkina Faso general calls for end to standoff

General Gilbert Diendere, who had led the attempt to overthrow Burkina Faso's government earlier this month, asked his followers on Tuesday to put an end to the standoff that had left the capital in lockdown.

In an interview with Radio Omega, Diendere made an appeal to the leaders of the Presidential Security Regiment, the elite security force he had led in revolt against the government on September 17.

"The command has become a bit difficult. I call on them to lower their arms," he said, according to Reuters.

Tensions have run high in the capital city of Ouagadougou, where members of the army unit have holed up in army barracks after ignoring a government order to lay down their weapons. The neighborhood around the barracks was in lockdown Tuesday as government tanks patrolled the streets and citizens were informed not to leave their homes.

Diendere led the coup attempt after his superior, long-time President Blaise Compaore, was ousted from the government. Though transitional President Michel Kafando managed to negotiate a ceasefire, Compaore's followers have continued the fight, taking several people hostage in the barracks and effectively stalling the disarmament process.

A 'demonization campaign'

Earlier on Tuesday, Burkina Faso security officials confirmed the arrest of former Foreign Affairs Minister Djibril Bassole in connection with the coup. Bassole served in government for nearly 30 years and was set to run for president in elections slated for October 11.

According to government sources, he stands accused of assisting Diendere and his forces in the week-long coup attempt. He issued a response after the arrest, calling it a "demonization campaign," the Associated Press news agency reported.

blc/kms (AP, AFP, dpa)