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Madagascar officers launch mutiny Madagascar officers launch mutiny
(40 minutes later)
Officers in a military camp near Madagascar's capital of Antananarivo have mutinied, refusing to take any more orders from the government.Officers in a military camp near Madagascar's capital of Antananarivo have mutinied, refusing to take any more orders from the government.
A BBC reporter in the capital says a group of officers announced they would now follow opposition leader and former city mayor Andry Rajoelina.A BBC reporter in the capital says a group of officers announced they would now follow opposition leader and former city mayor Andry Rajoelina.
Antananarivo is peaceful despite the announcement, our correspondent adds.Antananarivo is peaceful despite the announcement, our correspondent adds.
But the island nation is in crisis amid a power struggle between Mr Rajoelina and President Marc Ravalomanana. Madagascar is in the grip of a fierce power struggle between Mr Rajoelina and President Marc Ravalomanana.
Roads to the military camp in Soanierana district, around 6km (four miles) from the city centre, have been blocked by mutineering soldiers, according to AFP news agency. The Indian Ocean island nation has been paralysed since the start of the year by the political crisis, which has left about 100 people dead in protests.
On Sunday roads to the military camp in Soanierana district, around 6km (four miles) from the city centre, were blocked by mutineering soldiers, according to AFP news agency.
'Following our hearts'
"We no longer take orders from our hierarchy, we are following our hearts. We were trained to protect property and citizens, not to fire at people. We are with the people," an unnamed soldier told AFP."We no longer take orders from our hierarchy, we are following our hearts. We were trained to protect property and citizens, not to fire at people. We are with the people," an unnamed soldier told AFP.
Mr Rajoelina went into in hiding on Saturday, after security forces last week tried to arrest him. No official comment was immediately available.
Last week, Mr Ravalomanana pledged to intensify the crackdown against the opposition movement and end a political crisis that has crippled the Indian Ocean island since December. Security forces have prevented several opposition rallies from going ahead in recent days, leading to clashes in which several people died.
Mr Rajoelina, who was sacked as the capital's mayor last month, has accused the president of being a dictator. Mr Rajoelina said this weekend he was in hiding and his TV station is reportedly off air.
Security forces last week tried to arrest him after he walked out on direct talks with Mr Ravalomanana, accusing his rival of dismissing opposition grievances and pledging to revert to mass street action.
The opposition leader, who was sacked as the capital's mayor last month, has accused the president of being a dictator.
The 34-year-old former DJ turned politician has declared himself president and announced his own administration.The 34-year-old former DJ turned politician has declared himself president and announced his own administration.
President Ravalomanana denies abusing power and says he will remain in power until the end of his mandate in 2011.President Ravalomanana denies abusing power and says he will remain in power until the end of his mandate in 2011.