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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. |
| But military spokesman Colonel Henri Michel Marcellin told the BBC the army was not trying to seize power. | 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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7935682.stm">Q&A: Madagascar power struggle | |
| "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. | "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." | "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. | 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. | "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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | "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 Antananarivo, 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. | 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 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. |