French President Francois Hollande on Thursday attacked what he labelled a "coup d'etat" in Burkina Faso, where the presidential guard detained the former French colony's interim leader and prime minister.

"The president firmly condemns the coup d'etat that has taken place in Burkina Faso. He calls for the immediate release of all people arrested, the reinstatement of transitional authorities and the resumption of the electoral process," the French presidency said in a statement.