France, UN demand release of Burkina Faso leaders

International condemnation was swift with the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon describing their capture as a "flagrant violation of Burkino Faso's constitution and transitional charter."

The African Union and former colonial power France also blasted their abduction, which happened when members of former President Blaise Compaore's Presidential Security Regiment (RSP), burst into a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

As well as President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida, senior ministers of the interim government were also "taken hostage."

The African country's elite guards did not give any explanation for the move, which was confirmed by the head of parliament. It is apparently a move to control the transitional government.

"Members of the RSP burst into the room of the cabinet of ministers and took hostage the president of Burkina Faso, the head of state, Michel Kafando, the prime minister, Yacouba Isaac Zida, and the minister of public administration ... and the minister of housing," Moumina Cheriff Sy, the head of the transitional parliament, said in a statement.

"Duty calls us because the Burkinabe nation is in danger," Sy said. "This latest intervention by elements of the presidential guard is a serious attack on the republic and its institutions. I call on all patriots to mobilize and defend the motherland."

The RSP soldiers reportedly fired shots to disperse the demonstrators who gathered at the capital Ouagadougou's central square to march towards the presidential palace, demanding the release of the president and premier.

Sy said that the country's senior military officials and the RSP members were holding talks.

Elections due

Burkina Faso is due to elect a new president on October 11. Compaore's supporters have been banned from participating in the polls.

Zida, the second-in-command of the presidential guard, assumed power when Compaore fled to Ivory Coast on October 31 last year following huge demonstrations against his 27-year-rule.

The country's leaders agreed on a transitional period after the African Union threatened Burkina Faso with sanctions.

shs/sms (Reuters, dpa, AFP, AP)