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Soldiers leave capital, Burkina Faso returns to calm

Soldiers leave capital, Burkina Faso returns to calm

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Burkina Faso's transitional president Michel Kafando, left, next to Niger's President, Mahamadou Issoufou, right, during a official handover ceremony in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. Amid cheers and the national anthem, Burkina Faso's interim president took charge of the country again Wednesday a week after a military general and his supporters overthrew him and his transitional government. Interim President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida marked their return to power in an official handover ceremony in Ouagadougou. (AP Photo)

OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO:  Soldiers in Burkina Faso withdrew from the capital overnight after a transitional government was reinstalled, making the end of a week-long military coup. Residents lined up at gas stations and money machines Thursday. Many went early to buy sheep at the market for slaughter in celebration of Eid al-Adha, known here as Tabaski, one of Islam's most important holidays. During prayers, Muslim leader Aboubakar Sana called for peace and dialogue that will lead to free and fair elections. October elections were postponed in the wake of the coup, and have not yet been officially rescheduled. Interim President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida were put back into power Wednesday, a week after they were arrested by members of the presidential guard.