Violence erupts at Burkina Faso hotel where mediators gather

OUAGADOUGOU — Burkina Faso's political crisis deepened yesterday as the military insisted its general must serve as head of state until the next elections while protesters clashed outside the hotel where regional leaders were mediating.

Shots were heard near the hotel yesterday afternoon.

Benin's president had raised hopes late Saturday that a deal was near, but the negotiations continued yesterday without any announcement of a resolution.

The leaders of last week's coup have proposed a unity government until elections can be held, though they insist that Gen. Gilbert Diendere must head that government. Elections had been scheduled for Oct. 11 before soldiers overthrew the country's interim president and prime minister.

Meanwhile, tensions mounted around the hotel where the presidents of Benin and Senegal tried to broker a solution. Gunfire rang out late in the afternoon in the area, while clashes had erupted earlier in the day between pro- and anti-coup demonstrators.

Following the announcement of the coup on Thursday, the African Union swiftly suspended Burkina Faso and the United States, France and others sharply condemned the military power grab.

In the crowds on yesterday, many also expressed their anger at the coup and Diendere, the leader installed by the military.

"No to Diendere! No to military rule!" some shouted, while others vowed their support for the new regime.

At least 10 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in the crackdown on anti-coup demonstrations in recent days, a worker at the Yalgado Ouedraogo Hospital in Ouagadougou said Saturday. The worker spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

Protesters in Burkina Faso late last year forced President Blaise Compaore from office after 27 years in power.