Washington, Nov 2 (IANS): The US Saturday called upon the Burkina Faso military to immediately transfer power to civilian authorities following its seizure of power in the West African country.

Burkina Faso's senior military officer Isaac Zida, who was in command of the presidential guard, announced Saturday that he has seized power as head of state during the interim period, in the wake of a political crisis in the country.

He also announced the invalidation of army chief Nabere Honore Traore's statement Friday that he assumed the power as head of state on a transitional basis.

"The US condemns the Burkinabe military's attempt to impose its will on the people of Burkina Faso," Jen Psaki, spokeswoman for the State Department, said in a statement.

"We urge civilian leadership to be guided by the spirit of the constitution of Burkina Faso, and to move immediately towards free and fair presidential elections," she added.

She also said that the US regretted the loss of life in Burkina Faso this past week and called on all parties to avoid further violence.

Burkina Faso's former president Blaise Compaore has fled to the neighbouring country of Cote d'Ivoire with his family, one day after violent protests forced him to step down after 27 years in power, the Cote d'Ivoire government said Saturday.

On Thursday, hundreds of thousands of people turned out on the streets of Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, to prevent members of parliament from voting to amend the constitution, a move that would have allowed 63-year-old Compaore to compete for another term of presidency.