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Madagascar army's crisis deadline | Madagascar army's crisis deadline |
(30 minutes 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. |
But military spokesman Colonel Henri Michel Marcellin told the BBC the army was not trying to seize power. | |
I do not like it that Malagasy people are killing each other Vice-Admiral Mamy Ranaivoniarivo | |
"We're just going to put everything in order. Everybody is behind us, the politicians, the army and other members of the security forces, they're all with us," he said. | |
"It is us, the army, who are in control of the situation." | |
In a television and radio address on Tuesday, Mr Ravalomanana said he had made mistakes and knew some people were "furious" with him. | |
"I understand them. I am ready to listen to you. I promise to take steps to find a solution," he said. | |
Mr Ravalomanana has confirmed he will attend a national conference beginning on Thursday at which he is expected to hold discussions with opposition leader Andry Rajoelina. | |
Protests | Protests |
The army's ultimatum followed the resignation of Defence Minister Vice-Admiral Mamy Ranaivoniarivo earlier on Tuesday.The whereabouts of Andry Rajoelina are not clear | |
He read out a brief letter of resignation to reporters, but later suggested he may have been under pressure to leave his post. | |
"Perhaps I resigned under threat. I do not like it that Malagasy people are killing each other," he said. | |
AFP also reported that clashes had broken out between rival factions on the streets of the capital, injuring 19 people. | |
The whereabouts of Mr Rajoelina are unclear after a French foreign ministry spokesman said he had left the French embassy in Antananarivo. | |
Frederic Desagneaux told AFP that Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former DJ, was no longer in the French embassy. | 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. |
The BBC's Louvassou Rabari in Madagascar says looting has continued 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. | 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. |