Protesters storm Burkina Faso parliament, set fire

Protesters stormed Burkina Faso's parliament Thursday, dragging furniture and computers onto the street and setting the main chamber ablaze, in the most significant challenge to the president's rule during his 27 years in power.
     
The protesters' goal was to block a vote in parliament that would have increased term limits and allowed President Blaise Compaore to run for a fifth time. And they succeeded, at least for now as the prime minister's office issued a statement saying it was canceling the vote.
     
The demonstrations are continuing, with protesters swarming other areas of the capital, Ouagadougou, and the country, and setting alight several buildings and ransacking the offices of the national television station. Its broadcasts and those of the state radio went off the air.
     
Tension has been building for months in this West African country once known for its relative stability in a volatile region. The protesters say it's time for Compaore, who took power in a coup in 1987 and has since been elected four times, to step down from power.
     
"'It is over for the regime!" and "We do not want him again!" shouted demonstrators when they heard that the vote had been stopped. It could still be re-scheduled at a later date.
     
The bill would have amended the constitution to increase term limits and allow Compaore to run for election again next year, and the measure looked likely to pass.
     
The United States expressed concern about the unrest, in a statement issued by the White House press secretary's office.
     
"We believe democratic institutions are strengthened when established rules are adhered to with consistency," it said.
     
Flames enveloped the main building in the...