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| Madagascar defence minister quits | Madagascar defence minister quits |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Madagascar's defence minister has quit after police shot dead at least 28 opposition protesters at the weekend. | |
| Cecile Manorohanta reportedly said she did not want to remain in a government that condoned shooting of civilians. | Cecile Manorohanta reportedly said she did not want to remain in a government that condoned shooting of civilians. |
| It comes amid a power struggle between President Marc Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina. | It comes amid a power struggle between President Marc Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina. |
| The BBC's Christina Corbett in Antananarivo says there is a tense calm in the capital and emotions are still running high. | The BBC's Christina Corbett in Antananarivo says there is a tense calm in the capital and emotions are still running high. |
| There are reports on Monday that some 5,000 people have gathered in the city to hold a memorial for those who died in the weekend's protest. | There are reports on Monday that some 5,000 people have gathered in the city to hold a memorial for those who died in the weekend's protest. |
| Mr Rajoelina on Saturday organised a large rally attended by some 20,000 people during which he announced a "transition authority" and named his own prime minister. | Mr Rajoelina on Saturday organised a large rally attended by some 20,000 people during which he announced a "transition authority" and named his own prime minister. |
| As a mother, I do not tolerate this violence Cecile Manorohanta In pictures: Madagascar violenceMadagascar's 'militant mayor' | As a mother, I do not tolerate this violence Cecile Manorohanta In pictures: Madagascar violenceMadagascar's 'militant mayor' |
| In addition to at least 28 people who died as security forces opened fire on demonstrators marching towards the presidential compound, more than 200 people were wounded. | In addition to at least 28 people who died as security forces opened fire on demonstrators marching towards the presidential compound, more than 200 people were wounded. |
| In a statement read out on the private radio channel Antsive on Monday, the defence minister said: "In this period of political crisis, I extend my condolences and moral support to the families who suffered losses," reported AFP news agency. | In a statement read out on the private radio channel Antsive on Monday, the defence minister said: "In this period of political crisis, I extend my condolences and moral support to the families who suffered losses," reported AFP news agency. |
| "As a mother, I do not tolerate this violence. It was agreed at government level that the security forces were meant to protect the population and its property." | "As a mother, I do not tolerate this violence. It was agreed at government level that the security forces were meant to protect the population and its property." |
| She reportedly added: "After all that has happened, I decide as of now to no longer remain part of this government." | She reportedly added: "After all that has happened, I decide as of now to no longer remain part of this government." |
| Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina is a 34-year-old former DJ | Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina is a 34-year-old former DJ |
| A presidential decree issued soon after the defence minister resigned named her replacement as Mamy Ranaivoniarivo. | A presidential decree issued soon after the defence minister resigned named her replacement as Mamy Ranaivoniarivo. |
| The weekend's protests followed last week's dismissal of Mr Rajoelina as mayor of the capital, Antananarivo. | The weekend's protests followed last week's dismissal of Mr Rajoelina as mayor of the capital, Antananarivo. |
| The 34-year-old former DJ has accused President Ravalomanana of being a dictator and of misspending public money. | The 34-year-old former DJ has accused President Ravalomanana of being a dictator and of misspending public money. |
| President Ravalomanana, 59, who is also a former mayor of Antananarivo, has accused the opposition leader of trouble-making. | President Ravalomanana, 59, who is also a former mayor of Antananarivo, has accused the opposition leader of trouble-making. |
| Dozens of people were killed in unrest in January after anti-government protests turned into rioting and looting. | Dozens of people were killed in unrest in January after anti-government protests turned into rioting and looting. |
| 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. |