Burkina main players consider transition plan

Burkina Faso's political parties, army and civil society groups were today to consider a plan for a transitional government after last week's ousting of veteran president Blaise Compaore, sources said.
A commission comprising members of the main players in Burkina Faso had yesterday finalised a document outlining the transition process in the west African country after Compaore's 27-year rule, a source at the talks said.
"The members have finished their work" and "the document has been finalised," said the source on condition of anonymity.
The document is to be submitted today for consideration to a conference of the main players in the country, including political parties, civil society groups and the army.

Earlier an official with a civil society group stressed the need to "arrive at a general agreement" and move ahead as quickly as possible with the transition to avoid "the junta getting a taste for power."
Burkina Faso's army, which took power following a vacuum created when Compaore fled amid unrest, was yesterday invited to join the talks in the latest twist in a tortuous process towards a transitional administration.

The other players were two people chosen by the opposition, two representatives of civil society and two others representing religious and traditional leaders.
The army's power grab has attracted international condemnation and threats of sanctions from the African Union if it does not hand over power within two weeks.

Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Zida, second in command of the presidential guard, took over after Compaore fled the west African country following a mass uprising against his plans to revise the constitution and extend his rule. Zida has pledged to return power to civilians within a year.
According to a copy of the army's proposed transition charter seen by AFP, there would be a national transition council headed by a military figure and made up of 60 members from the army, civil society, the opposition and Compaore's party.
A civilian leader of an interim government would be chosen by traditional chiefs, the Catholic Church, Muslims, Evangelicals, the army and civil society.

None of those involved in the transition would take part in the ensuing presidential and legislative elections.