According to government sources, four attackers had been killed at the embassy and three at the HQ.

News agency Agence France-Presse quoted a French diplomat as saying that the situation is under control now.

According to witnesses, the armed men got out of a car before opening fire. Later they headed towards the French embassy.

Ouagadougou Mayor Armand Béouindé told France's Le Monde newspaper that the gunmen also attacked his office.

He called it a jihadist attack.

Earlier, Burkina Faso's national police said that a special team has been deployed to repel the attackers.

French troops stationed in the country have also joined the mission.

Image: twitter.com/KarenELotter and twitter.com/kambale