OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burkina Faso's ambassador to France, Joseph Pare, has resigned following the publication of the findings of the country's anti-fraud body which accused him of embezzling 260 million West African francs ($518,000) while he was minister of education.

The resignation was announced late Monday in Paris by Foreign Affairs Minister Djibril Bassole, who accompanied President Blaise Compaore on an official visit.

Bassole said in a declaration broadcast on state TV that "Pare submitted a letter to the president two weeks ago asking to be relieved of his functions so that he may concentrate himself to his defense."

Pare, a university professor, was appointed ambassador last year.

Many countries in Africa have set up anti-fraud units but they rarely lead to prosecutions.
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AP