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Police 'kill five' in Madagascar Police 'kill five' in Madagascar
(about 2 hours later)
At least five people have been killed in Madagascar after police opened fire on an opposition demonstration in the island nation's capital, reports say.At least five people have been killed in Madagascar after police opened fire on an opposition demonstration in the island nation's capital, reports say.
Some reports suggest that as many as 25 people may have been killed.Some reports suggest that as many as 25 people may have been killed.
There have been repeated protests against the dismissal of Antananarivo Mayor Andry Rajoelina, who is engaged in a power struggle with the president.There have been repeated protests against the dismissal of Antananarivo Mayor Andry Rajoelina, who is engaged in a power struggle with the president.
The sacked mayor accuses President Marc Ravalomanana of misspending public money and being a dictator.The sacked mayor accuses President Marc Ravalomanana of misspending public money and being a dictator.
"Up to now, 25 are dead," an unnamed senior police officer at the scene was quoted by Reuters as saying."Up to now, 25 are dead," an unnamed senior police officer at the scene was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Demonstrators had been marching towards President Ravalomanana's compound when riot police opened fire.Demonstrators had been marching towards President Ravalomanana's compound when riot police opened fire.
Earlier, during a rally attended by 20,000 people, the former mayor's supporters had declared him head of a "transition higher authority".Earlier, during a rally attended by 20,000 people, the former mayor's supporters had declared him head of a "transition higher authority".
Unarmed protesters
Immediately after the shooting, Mr Rajoelina said on Viva Radio: "The people were not armed, they only had their courage."
There were dozens of injured people at the city's main hospital. Jocelyn Ratolojanahary, whose hand was bandaged, told Reuters.
She said: "The crowd was walking peacefully, then all of a sudden, the military opened fire."
Mr Rajoelina was sacked by the government on Tuesday and replaced as mayor by Guy Randrianarisoa, a local city official.Mr Rajoelina was sacked by the government on Tuesday and replaced as mayor by Guy Randrianarisoa, a local city official.
Mr Rajoelina, who has successfully tapped into widespread frustration with the government, has said he would set up a transitional administration unless President Marc Ravalomanana steps down.Mr Rajoelina, who has successfully tapped into widespread frustration with the government, has said he would set up a transitional administration unless President Marc Ravalomanana steps down.
Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, has become a destination for tourists as well as foreign companies, searching for oil, gold, cobalt, nickel and uranium.Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, has become a destination for tourists as well as foreign companies, searching for oil, gold, cobalt, nickel and uranium.