Burkina President Compaore says not resigning, open to talks

Burkina Faso’s President Blaise Compaore said in a televised speech Thursday that he was not resigning and was open to talks about a transition of power, after the army dissolved the government and parliament following violent protests against the veteran leader.

“I have heard the message,” Compaore said, adding that he was “available” for talks on “a period of transition after which power will be transferred to a democratically elected president”.

He added that he was cancelling a state of emergency declared hours earlier.