Blaise Compaore, Burkina Faso's President, steps down after 27 years in power President Blaise Compaore resigned amid mass demonstrations against an attempt to extend his 27-year rule Compaore, who seized power in a 1987 coup, had attempted to defy popular pressure for him to step down Violence erupted yesterday as hundreds of thousands of protesters packed streets of the capital Ouagadougou Crowds of demonstrators smashed through heavy security cordon to storm National Assembly building Today, crowds danced and cheered in the streets after Compaore's statement of resignation was broadcast But the mood cooled when it became apparent that military chief General Honore Traore had taken power By Khaleda Rahman for MailOnline The head of Burkina Faso's armed forces took power today after President Blaise Compaore resigned amid mass demonstrations against an attempt to extend his 27-year rule that military chief General Honore Traore had taken over the reins of power. Compaore, who seized power in a 1987 coup, had attempted to defy popular pressure for him to step down after a day of violent protests on Thursday in which demonstrators stormed parliament and state television. However, with hundreds of thousands of protesters packing the streets of the capital Ouagadougou for a second day today and no sign of international support for him staying on, Compaore announced his resignation. 'I declare that I'm leaving power in order to have a free and transparent election in 90 days,' said Compaore in a statement read out on television and radio stations. For my part, I think I have fulfilled my duty. A heavily armed convoy believed to be carrying Compaore was seen today travelling towards the southern town of Po, near the border with Ghana, two diplomatic sources and local media said. Torching parliament: Protestors stormed parliament in Ouagadougou and set it ablaze in protest at plans to change the constitution Victim: Protesters poured water on a injured man near the parliament building in Burkina Faso as violence erupted in Burkina Faso Bravado: Two men pose with a police shield as demonstrators ransack offices and set fire to cars in protest against the President Violence: Crowds of people broke through a heavy security cordon and stormed the National Assembly building in Ouagadougou On the rampage: Demonstrators set fire to the Burkina Faso parliament in protest at plans to allow the President to extend his rule Up in flames: People stand in front of smoke rising from Burkina Faso's parliament, where cars parked in a courtyard were set on fire No entry: Police had fired tear gas on protesters to try to prevent them from moving into National Assembly building in the capital Aftermath: Smoke rises from the headquarters of the Congress for Democracy and Progress party, after it was burned by protesters Support: Opposition supporters carry a parliament member from the opposition as smoke rises from the parliament building Defiance: An anti-government protester throws a microphone used for parliamentary sessions after invading the parliament building Crowds danced and cheered in Ougadougou's dusty streets, blowing on whistles after Compaore's statement was broadcast. But the mood cooled as it became plain that military chief General Honore Traore had taken over the reins of power. Under Burkina Faso's constitution, when the president resigns the head of the National Assembly should take office, but parliament had already been dissolved by Traore on Thursday under short-lived martial law. For months, an opposition coalition has been urging Compaore not to seek re-election for what would have been his fifth term in power. But he and his ruling party looked set to push a bill through Parliament on Thursday that would have allowed him to run again. Determined to block the vote, protesters stormed the building, the vote was suspended and the military announced the legislature had been dissolved and a transition government would be formed. After that Compaore said he would lead until the new elections. But protesters rejected that plan and gathered again Friday, demanding that Compaore step down immediately. 'Considering the urgency of saving the nation, I have decided that I will assume from this day the responsibility of the head of state,' Traore told a news conference. I undertake a solemn engagement to proceed without delay with consultations with all parties in the country so as to start the process of returning to the constitutional order as soon as possible. Cheers: People celebrate in Ouagadougou after Burkina Faso's embattled President Blaise Compaore announced his resignation Celebration: A man raises the nation's flag at the Place de la Nation in the capital Ouagadougou, after the President's broadcast Control: A crowd gathers in front of army headquarters in Ouagadougou, demanding that the army take over following the resignation Power: A large crowd in front of Ouagadougou's army headquarters urges the army to take control after the President stepped down Seized: Burkina Faso's military chief General Honore Traore speaks at a news conference announcing his takeover of power An army spokesman speaks to anti-government protesters outside military headquarters in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, pictured left, a former army captain, seized power of the West African nation in a bloody coup in 1987 There was no immediate reaction from opposition leaders to Traore's announcement. Many protesters said they wanted a transition led by retired General Kouame Lougue, a popular former defence minister who was accused of trying to topple Compaore in 2004. Long a bastion of stability in the turbulent Sahel region, Burkina Faso's crisis is being closely watched by military allies France and the United States, and by governments in the region where several long-standing rulers are approaching the end of their mandates amid rumbling of popular discontent. 'This is a sub-Saharan Spring and it must continue against all the presidents who are trying to hang on to power in Africa,' said law student Lucien Trinnou, referring to the Arab Spring that toppled several long-term leaders. French President Francois Hollande, who had discretely sought ways to usher Compaore into an international role when his term was due to have ended next year, welcomed the former president's resignation in a statement and called for quick elections to be held. Burkina Faso is one of the world's poorest nations but has positioned itself as a mediator in regional crises. It is also a key ally in Western operations against al Qaeda-linked groups in West Africa and one of the last African states to retain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Regional West African bloc ECOWAS said on Thursday it would not accept any party seizing power through non-constitutional means in an apparent suggestion of diplomatic pressure to leave Compaore in place. A delegation from the African Union, the United Nations and ECOWAS was due in Burkina Faso on Friday to hold talks with all parties. Uprising: People walk by burnt cars in Ouagadougou yesterday when a violent uprising led to a state of emergency in Burkina Faso One man was killed in the chaos in the west African nation shortly before lawmakers were due to vote on the controversial legislation Ablaze: Police were out in force around parliament after mass rallies were called by the opposition earlier this week but failed to stop the onslaught Fleeing: A Burkina Faso deputy leaves the parliament after around 1,500 protesters break into and ransacked parliament Ebola: A protester holds a sign with a picture of Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore where he's compared to the deadly disease Taken down: Riot police arrest an anti-government protester during riots in Ouagadougou Smokescreen: An anti-government protester throws a tear gas canister at riot police in Ouagadougou Burkina Faso troops ride into Ouagadougou yesterday after hundreds of angry demonstrators in Burkina Faso stormed parliament Outrage: Compaore's bid to cling to power has angered the opposition and much of the public, including many young people The country has been tense for days in the run-up to today's vote on constitutional changes to extend President Blaise Compaore's rule The situation is being closely watched across Africa where at least four heads of state are preparing or considering similar changes to stay in power