This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7900992.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Malagasy army retakes ministries | Malagasy army retakes ministries |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Security forces in Madagascar's capital have fired in the air to disperse opposition protesters who seized four ministry buildings on Thursday. | Security forces in Madagascar's capital have fired in the air to disperse opposition protesters who seized four ministry buildings on Thursday. |
| Supporters of opposition leader Andry Rajoelina seized the offices to install parallel government ministers. | Supporters of opposition leader Andry Rajoelina seized the offices to install parallel government ministers. |
| Mr Rajoelina, the city's sacked mayor, wants President Marc Ravalomanana to resign saying he is dictatorial. | Mr Rajoelina, the city's sacked mayor, wants President Marc Ravalomanana to resign saying he is dictatorial. |
| About 100 people have been killed in political protests since the dispute between the men began last month. | About 100 people have been killed in political protests since the dispute between the men began last month. |
| The BBC's Christina Corbett in Antananarivo says security forces did not put up much of a fight when the opposition supporters seized the ministries and have been very restrained. | |
| Losing momentum | |
| The internal security minister said the government is now back in control of the interior, security, education and planning ministries in Antananarivo, Reuters news agency reports. | The internal security minister said the government is now back in control of the interior, security, education and planning ministries in Antananarivo, Reuters news agency reports. |
| "The ministries seized by the opposition have been retaken and the surrounding barriers removed. Civil servants can return to their posts," Desire Rasolofomanana was quoted as saying. | "The ministries seized by the opposition have been retaken and the surrounding barriers removed. Civil servants can return to their posts," Desire Rasolofomanana was quoted as saying. |
| Police say they arrested 50 opposition supporters during the operation. | |
| Our correspondent says the opposition seems to be losing momentum especially after failing to hold onto the seized ministries. | |
| A Southern African Development Community (Sadc) delegation is in the country to mediate between the two sides. | |
| Negotiations are going on between the president's representatives and members of the opposition. | |
| President Ravalomanana and Mr Rajoelina are yet to have face-to-face talks. | |
| The opposition leader has backed himself into a corner so he is stuck in a very extreme position and it is difficult for him to step down and agree to talk to the president, our correspondent says. | |
| Tension is high and businesses are struggling in the centre of the Antananarivo where daily opposition rallies are being held and people fear the situation could drag on for a while. |