A siege is over at a Burkina Faso hotel seized by suspected Islamist gunmen, the BBC reported quoting the government.

In all, 126 hostages were freed at the Splendid Hotel in the West African state's capital, Ouagadougou, the interior minister said.

Three gunmen were killed, he added, amid reports of 20 deaths during the attack, which also targeted a cafe.

French special forces are helping local troops in the security operation.

French President Francois Hollande has condemned the attack on the former French colony.

Source: MENA