There was no mention of Compaore’s whereabouts.

Earlier a statement purportedly from the presidency said a state of emergency had been declared.

“The army chief of staff is charged with carrying out this decree, which enters into force from this day,” it said.

The document was not dated and carried a signature that did not resemble the president’s usual one.

Later from his hideout, Compaore said in a televised speech that he was not resigning and was open to talks about a transition of power.

He gave the broadcast after the army dissolved the government and parliament following violent protests against the veteran leader.

“I have heard the message,” Compaore said, adding that he was “available” for talks on “a period of transition after which power will be transferred to a democratically elected president”.

He added that he was cancelling a state of emergency declared hours earlier.

The opposition meanwhile said the army’s seizure of power amounted to a “coup”, adding that they consider the president’s departure “non-negotiable”.

President Blaise Compaore, who has ruled the country for 27 years, “is again in the process of duping the people,” said opposition leader Benewende Sankara.

“We have been saying for a long time that he must hand in his resignation. His departure is non-negotiable

The United States, Burkina Faso’s former colonial ruler France and the African Union all voiced alarm over the unrest gripping the poor west African nation.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon dispatched a special envoy to help restore calm and the European Union called for an end to the violence.

“The army is united with the people,” said Benewende Sankara, a leading light in the opposition.

Army chief Traore had earlier met with retired general Kouame Lougue, a former defence minister being touted by the opposition as a replacement for Compaore, to discuss the crisis.

Tens of thousands of protesters massed on the streets of the capital shouting “Lougue in power!”

– Worst crisis since 2011 –

The chaos erupted just before lawmakers were due to vote on legislation that would allow 63-year-old Compaore — who took power in a 1987 coup — to contest next year’s election, AFP correspondents said.