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Transitional government appointed in Burkina Faso

(Reuters) – Burkina Faso authorities issued a decree on Sunday announcing a new interim government, with President Michel Kafando and prime minister Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida also taking on the key ministries of foreign affairs and defence.

Burkina Faso’s President Michel Kafondo is seen after being sworn into his post for the transitional period of one year, in Ouagadougou November 21, 2014. REUTERS/Joe Penney

Of the 26 posts available, the army claimed six, including mines, communications and the interior ministry.

Burkina Faso’s former President Blaise Compaore was forced from power by mass protests in late October as he sought to amend the constitution to prolong his 27-year rule. A brief period of army rule ensued, led by Zida, before he bowed to pressure to cede power to a civilian president.

(This version of the story was corrected to change number of posts to 26, from 25)

(Reporting by David Lewis and Mathieu Bonkoungou; Writing by Emma Farge; Editing by Andrew Roche)

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