The US condemned on Thursday the coup in the West African nation of Burkina Faso in which the presidential guard seized power, Fox news network reported.

“We call for an immediate end to violence, urge the military personnel involved to return to their primary mission, and reaffirm our steadfast support for the civilian transitional government to continue its work of preparing for free, fair, and credible elections on October 11”, State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

The coup started Wednesday with the arrest of the interim president and prime minister. It came just weeks before Burkina Faso was due to hold national elections on Oct. 11, aimed at ushering in a new era of democracy.

Source: MENA