Who's in control in Burkina Faso?

• President Blaise Compaore says he has dissolved the government


• He says he will lead a transitional government until a new leader is elected


• Demonstrators storm parliament as lawmakers consider extending the President's rule


• The military seizes control and imposes a curfew, saying it needs to restore order

(CNN) -- The President of Burkina Faso pledged to stay in power until a new leader is democratically elected, despite violent protests demanding an end to his 27-year rule in the West African country.

President Blaise Compaore said Thursday he had dissolved the government and will lead a transitional administration.

"On my part, I'll remain available and open to dialogue during the transition period, at the end of which, I'll relay power to the next democratically elected President," he said.

His words could further inflame tensions in the landlocked nation.

The military seized control Thursday and set a dusk-to-dawn curfew in what one general described as an effort to protect lives and restore order.

Unrest has gripped Burkina Faso -- a key partner for Western countries in the campaign against al Qaeda -- as protests against Compaore's government turned violent Thursday.

Demonstrators stormed parliament, setting fire to the building.

Gen. Honore Nabere Traore told reporters in the capital city of Ouagadougou that the dissolution of the government was in the best interest of the country.

"An interim authority will be set up in order to prepare the conditions for the return to normal constitutional order within a period of 12 months at the latest," Traore said.

People stand in front of smoke rising from Burkina Faso's parliament building, where demonstrators set parked cars on fire Thursday October 30, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. There have been violent clashes in the capital as protesters demonstrate against the high cost of living and a proposal to amend the constitution so President Blaise Compaore can run for another term. The Burkinabe government announced October 30 that it is dropping the proposed amendment, and Compaore appealed for calm via Twitter.

Troops face off against protesters on October 30. Compaore has been in office since 1987, when he took power following a bloody coup.

A Burkina Faso deputy clutches a national flag as he flees parliament on October 30.

Troops line up against protesters after hundreds of protesters stormed parliament on October 30.

A protester poses in front of a burning car outside of parliament on October 30.

Cars and documents are set ablaze outside parliament on October 30.

Protesters enter the parliament on October 30.

Police cordon off access to parliament on Wednesday, October 29.

People gather October 29 to take part in a march protesting the cost of living in Ouagadougou.

People march in Ouagadougou on October 29.

Photos: Unrest in Burkina Faso

In a government communique read on national radio, Compaore asked for an end to the violence.

He also withdrew a proposed constitutional amendment that included a provision that would allow him to seek another term in office, according to the communique.

Compaore has been in office since he took power following a bloody coup in 1987. The opposition has demanded his immediate resignation.

In Bobo-Dioulasso, the country's second largest city, protesters reportedly tore down a statue of Compaore.

The incident followed the reports of protesters storming the parliament building, where lawmakers were set to vote on a motion to allow Compaore to extend his time in power.

Flights in and out of Ouagadougou have been suspended, according to the Burkina Faso Embassy in Washington. Embassy personnel told CNN that it was still issuing visas but that there were no flights at the moment.

The West, particularly France, considers Burkina Faso a key ally in the fight against al Qaeda. The country was formerly known as the Republic of Upper Volta when it was established in 1958 as a self-governing colony under France.

CNN's Faith Karimi, Pierre Meilhan and Elwyn Lopez contributed to this report.