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OUAGADOUGOU. — The head of Burkina Faso’s armed forces took power yesterday after President Blaise Compaore resigned amid mass demonstrations against an attempt to extend his 27-year rule in the West African country.

Compaore, who seized power in a 1987 coup, had attempted to defy popular pressure for him to step down after a day of violent protests on Thursday in which demonstrators stormed parliament and state television. However, with hundreds of thousands of protesters packing the streets of the capital Ouagadougou for a second day yesterday and no sign of international support for him staying on, Compaore announced his resignation.

“I declare a vacancy of power with a view to allowing a transition that should end with free and transparent elections in a maximum period of 90 days,” Compaore said in a written statement read on local radio and television.

A heavily armed convoy believed to be carrying Compaore was seen travelling yesterday towards the southern town of Po, near the border with Ghana, two diplomatic sources and local media said.

Crowds danced and cheered in Ougadougou’s streets, blowing on whistles after Compaore’s statement was broadcast. The mood cooled, however, as it became plain that military chief General Honore Traore had taken over the reins of power. Under Burkina Faso’s constitution, when the president resigns the head of the National Assembly should take office, but parliament had already been dissolved by Traore on Thursday under a short-lived martial law.

“Considering the urgency of saving the nation, I have decided that I will assume from this day the responsibility of the head of state,” Traore told a news conference.

“I undertake a solemn engagement to proceed without delay with consultations with all parties in the country so as to start the process of returning to the constitutional order as soon as possible.”

There was no immediate reaction from opposition leaders to Traore’s announcement. Many protesters said they wanted a transition led by retired General Kouame Lougue, a popular former defense minister who was accused of trying to topple Compaore in 2004.

Long a bastion of stability in the turbulent Sahel region, Burkina Faso’s crisis is being closely watched by military allies France and the United States, and by governments in the region where several long-standing rulers are approaching the end of their mandates amid rumbling of popular discontent.

A delegation from the African Union, the United Nations and ECOWAS was due in Burkina Faso yesterday to hold talks with all parties. — Reuters.