Burkina Faso's senior military officials on Saturday backed presidential guard Lieutenant Colonel Issaac Zida to lead a interim government after former President Blaise Compaore was forced to resign on Friday, according to an official statement.

"Lieutenant Colonel Yacouba Issaac Zida has been elected unanimously to lead the transition period opened after the departure of President Blaise Compaore," according to a statement issued after military chiefs met on Saturday.

Zida, who was the second in command of the presidential guard, said Saturday he had assumed "the responsibilities of head of the transition and of head of state" to ensure the "continuation of the state" and a "smooth democratic transition" via a local television station.

On Thursday, hundreds of thousands of people turned out in the streets of the capital to prevent members of parliament from voting to amend the Constitution, a move that would have allowed 63-year-old President Blaise Compaore to compete for another term of presidency.

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