Burkina Faso's military has announced emergency measures

#Burkina Faso's military has announced emergency measures - including the formation of a transitional government - after a day of violent protests. Demonstrators angered by President Blaise Compaore's bid to extend his 27-year rule earlier set fire to parliament and government buildings. Protesters in the capital, Ouagadougou, are calling for him to resign. The emergency moves announced by army chief Gen Honore Traore did not say who would lead the interim administration. At a press conference, he declared the imposition of an overnight curfew, as well as the dissolution of parliament.

Gen Traore announced that a "transitional body [would] be put in place in consultation with all parties". "A return to the constitutional order is expected in no more than 12 months," he said. Earlier, President Compaore issued a statement, declaring the emergency and saying that the head of the armed forces was in charge of implementing the decision. The protests in the capital - the most serious yet against Mr Compaore's rule - forced MPs to abandon a vote aimed at allowing the president to seek re-election in 2015.

The military fired live bullets to try to disperse protesters who had occupied parliament, our correspondent says. Protesters also surged towards the presidential palace, and a government helicopter flying overhead fired tear gas at them, Reuters news agency reported. Witnesses say dozens of soldiers joined the protest in Ouagadougou's main square, including a former defence minister, Gen Kouame Lougue. Protesters demanded his installation as president, our reporter says.