Leader says back in charge one week after coup

Burkina Faso's interim president declared on Wednesday he is once again in charge of the country a week after a military general and his supporters overthrew him and his transitional government.

Interim President Michel Kafando had been arrested by members of the presidential guard a week ago, and later sought refuge at the residence of the French ambassador. In recent days, Burkina Faso's army sent troops into the capital to pressure General Gilbert Diendere and his soldiers to cede power.

The elite soldiers behind the coup and regular troops loyal to the government signed an agreement overnight to avoid an outbreak of violence as mediators were due to arrive in the capital, said an official involved in the deal.