By Lougri Dimtalba
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso's new interim leader, Isaac Zida, has vowed to lead the country through a political transition "within a constitutional framework," to conclude at the soonest possible date.
At a meeting with diplomats in Ouagadougou, Zida said that executive authority would be led by a transitional body to be headed up by a personality who enjoys the support of all the country's political players.
Zida dismissed remarks by opposition leaders that the army had "seized" power after massive protests on Friday led to the resignation of president Blaise Compaore.
He insisted the army had no intention of "usurping" power, but rather simply sought to secure a peaceful political transition.
However, he provided no details as to when the proposed transitional body would be established.
On Saturday, Zida – who had been second-in-command in the country's presidential guard under Compaore – was named Bukrina Faso's transitional president by the army leadership.
Army Chief-of-Staff Nabere Honore Traore said Zida had been unanimously selected to lead Burkina Faso's transitional period after Compaore departed for the Ivory Coast.
Compaore, who had served as president for 27 years, resigned on Friday following massive protests against plans to amend the constitution to allow him to run for another five-year term as president.
At least 30 people were reportedly killed on Thursday in clashes between protesters and security forces in capital Ouagadougou.
Reopens border
Interim president Isaac Zida on Monday ordered the reopening of his country's borders with neighboring states.
In a Monday statement, Zida said that the borders were reopened to allow the resumption of economic activities and free movement of people and goods.
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