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Committee Names Burkina Faso Interim President


FILE - A man shouts as he and others are seen gathered at the Place de Nation calling for a civilian democratic transition in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Nov. 2, 2014.
FILE - A man shouts as he and others are seen gathered at the Place de Nation calling for a civilian democratic transition in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Nov. 2, 2014.

Officials in Burkina Faso have named former foreign minister Michel Kafando as the country's interim president, tasked with leading the return to civilian rule.

A committee made up of politicians, army representatives, and civil and religious leaders announced their selection of Kafando Monday, a day after beginning talks to fill the post.

Kafando will next appoint a prime minister, which is expected to happen later this week.

Burkina Faso's military seized power last month after longtime ruler Blaise Compaore abruptly stepped down in the face of protests against his efforts to change the constitution and allow him to run for re-election next year.

The army named Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Yacouba Zida as an interim leader, and he pledged to quickly hand power to a transitional authority.

The African Union had warned the military to establish the interim government and pick an interim president by Monday or face possible sanctions.

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