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Madagascar army's crisis deadline Madagascar army's crisis deadline
(about 2 hours later)
The army chief has given Madagascar's rival leaders 72 hours to solve the island nation's political crisis, which has left more than 100 people dead.The army chief has given Madagascar's rival leaders 72 hours to solve the island nation's political crisis, which has left more than 100 people dead.
"We promise to remain neutral," said General Edmond Rasolomahandry."We promise to remain neutral," said General Edmond Rasolomahandry.
He was speaking after a group of soldiers apparently forced the defence minister to resign.He was speaking after a group of soldiers apparently forced the defence minister to resign.
President Marc Ravalomanana has also appealed for an end to the violence and admitted making mistakes during the turmoil that has lasted several weeks.President Marc Ravalomanana has also appealed for an end to the violence and admitted making mistakes during the turmoil that has lasted several weeks.
"We implore all political players, civil society organisations and other parties to reunite immediately to find a solution within the next 72 hours to help the nation out of the current crisis," said Gen Rasolomahandry."We implore all political players, civil society organisations and other parties to reunite immediately to find a solution within the next 72 hours to help the nation out of the current crisis," said Gen Rasolomahandry.
He said the army would take over the running of the country if no solution was found, the AFP news agency reports.He said the army would take over the running of the country if no solution was found, the AFP news agency reports.
The whereabouts of opposition leader Andry Rajoelina are unclear after a French foreign ministry spokesman said he had left the French embassy in Antananarivo. AFP also reported that clashes had broken out between rival factions on the streets of the capital, injuring 19 people.
Frederic Desagneaux told the AFP news agency that Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former DJ, was no longer in the French embassy. Protests
The whereabouts of opposition leader Andry Rajoelina are unclear after a French foreign ministry spokesman said he had left the French embassy in Antananarivo.Mamy Ranaivoniarivo is the second defence minister to resign this year
Frederic Desagneaux told AFP that Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former DJ, was no longer in the French embassy.
He refused to give further details, directing enquiries to the United Nations.He refused to give further details, directing enquiries to the United Nations.
Earlier, hundreds of government supporters had gathered outside the French embassy, demanding that the opposition leader be handed over.Earlier, hundreds of government supporters had gathered outside the French embassy, demanding that the opposition leader be handed over.
AFP reports they were dispersed by security forces.
The BBC's Louvassou Rabari in Madagascar says looting is continuing for a second day in Antananarivo.The BBC's Louvassou Rabari in Madagascar says looting is continuing for a second day in Antananarivo.
The head of the emergency services, Cornell Rafolohanitrarivo, told AFP that two people were shot dead and 30 injured during fighting and looting in the capital on Monday.