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Burkina Faso leader steps down, vote in 90 days

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burkina Faso’s leader of 27 years says he has stepped down following a wave of violent protests to his bid to seek a fifth term in power.

In a statement read out on national television Friday, Blaise Compaore said that elections would be held in 90 days.

It was not clear who would take power immediately.

A spokesman for Compaore also confirmed he was resigning.

On Thursday, protesters stormed the parliament and unleashed unrest around the country, successfully blocking a vote to allow Compaore to seek re-election next year.

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