Story highlights Dusk-to-dawn curfew established nationwide, a general says 
 
 The whereabouts of President Blaise Compaore are not immediately known 
 
 Parliament stormed as lawmakers consider extending the President's rule 
 
 The military in the West African nation of Burkina Faso seized control of the government on Thursday and set a dusk-to-dawn curfew in what one general described as an effort to protect lives and restore order. 
 
 Unrest has gripped Burkina Faso -- a key ally for the West in the fight against al Qaeda -- as protests against President Blaise Compaore's government turned violent, culminating Thursday with demonstrators storming the Parliament and setting fire to the building. 
 
 Saying it was in the best interest of the country's citizens and supported by "national and international opinion," Gen. Honore Nabere Traore told reporters in the capital city of Ouagadougou that the "government is dissolved." 
 
 "An interim authority will be set up in order to prepare the conditions for the return to normal constitutional order within a period of 12 months at the latest," Traore said. 
 
 The whereabouts of Compaore were not immediately known, and it was not immediately clear whether he had surrendered control of the country. 
 
 Earlier in the day, Compaore took emergency measures, asking in a government communique read on national radio for an end to the violence. He also withdrew a proposed constitutional amendment that included a provision that would allow him to seek another term in office, according to the communique. 
 
 Compaore, who has been in office since he took power following a bloody coup in 1987, also made an appeal via Twitter, urging for a return to calm. 
 
 But it was unlikely to placate the opposition, which called for his immediate resignation. 
 
 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – Lt. Col. Isaac Yacouba Zida pauses as he makes an announcement to the media in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Saturday, November 1. Zida, a largely unknown military colonel, says he has taken the helm after violent clashes in the capital forced President Blaise Compaora and his family to flee to neighboring Ivory Coast after 27 years in office. Protesters demonstrated against the high cost of living and a proposal to amend the constitution so Compaore could run for another term. Hide Caption 1 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – Burkinese celebrate on Friday, October 31, after the embattled Compaore announced that he was stepping down from power. Hide Caption 2 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – People help clean the avenue leading to the burnt parliament on October 31, a day after it was stormed by protesters. Hide Caption 3 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – People stand in front of smoke rising from Burkina Faso's parliament building, where demonstrators set parked cars on fire Thursday, October 30. Hide Caption 4 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – Troops face off against protesters on October 30. Compaore has been in office since 1987, when he took power following a bloody coup. Hide Caption 5 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – A Burkina Faso deputy clutches a national flag as he flees parliament on October 30. Hide Caption 6 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – Troops line up against protesters after hundreds of protesters stormed parliament on October 30. Hide Caption 7 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – A protester poses in front of a burning car outside of parliament on October 30. Hide Caption 8 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – Cars and documents are set ablaze outside parliament on October 30. Hide Caption 9 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – Protesters enter the parliament on October 30. Hide Caption 10 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – Police cordon off access to parliament on Wednesday, October 29. Hide Caption 11 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – People gather October 29 to take part in a march protesting the cost of living in Ouagadougou. Hide Caption 12 of 13 Photos: Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso Unrest in Burkina Faso – People march in Ouagadougou on October 29. Hide Caption 13 of 13 
 
 In Bobo-Dioulasso, the country's second largest city, protesters reportedly tore down a statue of Compaore. 
 
 The incident followed reports that a large group of protesters had stormed the Parliament building, where lawmakers were set to vote on a motion to allow Compaore to extend his 27 years of rule. 
 
 Footage aired by a number of the country's media outlets show the Parliament building engulfed in flames. There have been reports of casualties in the violence, but CNN has not been able to independently confirm the claim. 
 
 Flights in and out of Ouagadougou have been suspended, according to the Burkina Faso Embassy in Washington. Embassy personnel told CNN that it was still issuing visas but that there were no flights at the moment. 
 
 U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all groups to end the violence, asking that they "exercise calm and restraint." 
 
 The West, particularly France, considers Burkina Faso a key ally in the fight against al Qaeda. The country was formerly known as the Republic of Upper Volta, when it was established in 1958 as a self-governing colony under France. 
 
 France urged restraint in the current situation. The French Foreign Ministry condemned the violence. 
 
 The African Union announced it would deploy troops alongside United Nations forces as part of a joint mission to address the unrest. ||||| With officials and demonstrators posting developments on #lwili hashtag, this is how the protests were covered on social media 
 
 After two days of protests in Burkina Faso the president, Blaise Compaoré, has reportedly abandoned plans to amend the constitution to allow himself a further three terms in office. 
 
 Followed on Twitter by journalists and protestors, and with live reports streaming on Radio Omega FM Ouaga’s online station, this “revolution 2.0” has been called a victory by the Burkinabè opposition. 
 
 Communications minister, Alain Edouard Traore, announced the move in a hurried statement after the parliament, national TV and radio buildings were stormed, and statues were toppled in the country’s second largest city, Bobo Dioulasso. 
 
 Burkina24 (@burkina24) The Government informs the entire population of the cancellation of the examination of the draft law amending the Constitution. #cnn 
 
 At 12.15pm, Compaoré took to Twitter to appeal for “calm and serenity” as protests continued to rage outside government buildings. 
 
 Blaise Compaore (@PF_Compaore) Chers Compatriotes Burkinabè, je lance un appel au calme et la sérénité. BC. #Bukina #bf226 #lwili #faso 
 
 French media also reported that the president’s brother was arrested as he tried to flee the country, and statements by the army’s Général Kouamé Lougué have fuelled speculation that the army are poised to remove Compaoré from power. 
 
 At 1.40pm Reuters photojournalist Joe Penney tweeted: “People marching towards presidency led by General Kwamé Lougé. About to meet presidential guard loyal to Blaise. Final assault #burkina.” 
 
 Aisha Dabo™ (@mashanubian) #Burkina is the army stepping in to topple Compaore, confusing reports 
 
 Imad Mesdoua (@ImadMesdoua) New sheriff in town? #Burkina Général Kwamé #Lougué #Lwili pic.twitter.com/Qw7l3hHkez 
 
 Compaoré, 63, has been president for 27 years since seizing power in a military coup in 1987. 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Footage from protests on October 28 in Ouagadougo 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Footage captured in Bobo Dioulasso. 
 
 Despite already being reported as a victory for the Burkinabè people against Compaoré’s “constitutional coup d’etat”, protesters say they continue to face rounds of live ammunition from the security forces even after the announcement, as governments buildings continue to burn: 
 
 Nnenna (@nnenna) #lwili shots ring out around presidential palace in Ouaga as protests continue. #BurkinaFaso 
 
 Joe Penney (@joepenney) Saw miltary firing on protestors in front of Francois compaores house and in front of the presidency #burkina #lwili 
 
 Update 3.53pm: 
 
 Nnenna (@nnenna) The big hospital in Ouagadougou says 3 are confirmed dead and 60+ are wounded. #BurkinaFaso #lwili 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Soldiers attempt to stop anti-government protesters from entering the parliament building in Ouagadougou, October 30, 2014. Photograph: https://twitter.com/mikederismith/status/527866139326816256/Reuters 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Anti-government protesters take over the parliament building in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, October 30, 2014. Photograph: Joe Penney/Reuters 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Protesters stand outside the parliament in Ouagadougou as cars and documents burn outside. Photograph: Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images 
 
 On Twitter, journalists and protesters have been following events using the #lwili hashtag, named after the traditional Burkinabè Lwili Peendé cloth being worn by many in the protests. 
 
 Now dubbed Burkina’s “revolution 2.0”, a reference also to the country’s popular movement led by Thomas Sankara in 1983, the announcement suggests a promising break with the trend set by various African rulers finding elasticity in constitutional limits, including Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Namibia, Togo and Uganda. 
 
 Commentators have also been linking Burkina Faso’s protests to a wider recent history of revolution and unrest. Opposition activist Emile Pargui Pare told the AFP news agency: “October 30 is Burkina Faso’s Black Spring, like the Arab Spring.” 
 
 Alexander Clarkson (@APHClarkson) In Ukraine it took 4 months for a revolt to gain momentum. In Egypt three weeks. In Burkina Faso just 3 days. #lwili 
 
 Protesters storm key buildings in the capital 
 
 Reports continue of fighting in the capital, and images emerge from inside the state TV station, stormed by protesters earlier today. 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Anti-government protesters take over the state TV podium in Ouagadougou Photograph: Joe Penney/Reuters 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Anti-government protesters carry the injured in Ouagadougou, October 30, 2014. Photograph: Joe Penney/Reuters 
 
 Général Kouamé Lougué has also delayed his statement by over two hours, leaving protestors and observers unsure of the military’s aims. 
 
 David Lewis (@DG_Lewis) If Blaise does go, look forward to how it's presented + how nimbly Paris and Washington dance around usage of word 'coup' #BurkinaFaso 
 
 Imad Mesdoua (@ImadMesdoua) #Burkina - COS General Honore #Traore still not spoken because of a reported "disagreement" between him and General Kwame #Lougue #Lwili 
 
 Authorities at Dakar airport have also apparently confirmed that Compaoré arrived in Senegal this afternoon after fleeing the country. 
 
 
 
 Update 5.43pm 
 
 Earlier reports that Compaoré had fled the country now seem false, after the president makes an announcement on a local FM frequency. 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest A protester at a hotel where members of the parliament were said to be staying in Ouagadougou, October 30, 2014. Photograph: Joe Penney/Reuters 
 
 The opposition leader Zéphirin Diabré has tweeted “We totally oppose a coup in #Burkina #Faso . We must remain democratic. #lwili # bf226” in response to fears that the military are poised to take power. 
 
 Zéphirin Diabré (@Zephirindiabre) Nous nous opposons totalement à un coup d'Etat au #Burkina #Faso. Notre doit rester démocratique. #lwili #bf226 
 
 State of emergency declared 
 
 A communique read on Radio Omega at 5pm says Compaoré has “dissolved government”, declared a state of emergency, and has made an appeal to the opposition leaders and to the public to end the protests and “stay calm”. 
 
 Here is a text of the address, as reported by Reuters and the BBC: 
 
 “A state of emergency is declared across the national territory. The chief of the armed forces is in charge of implementing this decision which enters into effect today. I dissolve the government from today so as to create conditions for change. I’m calling on the leaders of the political opposition to put an end to the protests. I’m pledging from today to open talks with all the actors to end the crisis.” 
 
 Imad Mesdoua (@ImadMesdoua) #Burkina - bottom line in communique from #Compaore Presidency "I'm still here, I'm still head of state" #Lwili 
 
 Joe Penney (@joepenney) Blaise Compaore just made a radio address on private radio saying he is still president. People not having it #burkina #lwili 
 
 Joe Penney (@joepenney) Protestors looting, but very targeted, only against institutions/buildings led/owned by Blaise and his clan #burkina #lwili 
 
 We’re signing off on this survey of the situation in Burkina Faso. For continued updates, follow the developing news story by David Smith. 
 
 Friday update: Burkina Faso president ousted, says army
– After 27 years under the autocratic rule of President Blaise Compaoré, protesters in Burkina Faso have signaled their desire for change by storming the country's Parliament and other government buildings and setting them ablaze. Violence erupted yesterday as lawmakers were set to vote on a bill that would have allowed Compaoré, who seized power in a 1987 coup, to stay on for another three terms, reports the New York Times. The African country's military says the government has been dissolved, according to CNN, but the president says he will stay in charge for a 12-month transitional period before stepping down. At least three people have been killed in the protests, and there have been reports of demonstrators toppling statues of Compaoré and burning the homes of his relatives. In an address to the nation, the president declared a state of emergency, appealed for calm, and pledged to hold "open talks with all the actors to end the crisis," reports the Guardian. He added that the bill that would have allowed him to stay on has been withdrawn. Compaoré's current whereabouts are unknown, but there have been reports he has fled to Senegal.