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Madagascar army chief forced out 'Civil war looms' in Madagascar
(about 2 hours later)
Pro-opposition soldiers have forced Madagascar's army chief to resign a day after he intervened in the Indian Ocean island's six-week political crisis. The US ambassador to Madagascar has warned the country is heading for civil war after pro-opposition soldiers forced the army chief to resign.
General Edmond Rasolofomahandry on Tuesday gave the country's political rivals 72 hours to end their dispute which has paralysed the country. Niels Marquardt said he was concerned and saddened by the Indian Ocean island's six-week political crisis.
The dissident soldiers have taken over the army headquarters and forced him to resign but there has been no fighting. Army chief Edmond Rasolofomahandry had on Tuesday given the country's political rivals 72 hours to end a dispute which has paralysed Madagascar.
Earlier, the opposition leader said he would boycott Thursday's peace talks. But dissident soldiers took over the army HQ and forced him to resign.
"I note with a great deal of concern and a great deal of sadness that Madagascar is - nearly - on the verge of civil war," said Mr Marquardt.
President Marc Ravalomanana has been involved in a power struggle with opposition leader Andry Rajoelina since mid-January.President Marc Ravalomanana has been involved in a power struggle with opposition leader Andry Rajoelina since mid-January.
Although there have been no reports of fighting, Mr Rajoelina said earlier he would boycott peace talks scheduled for Thursday.
His spokesman said the church leaders acting as mediators lacked credibility and the time was not right for talks.
At least 100 people have died during opposition protests.At least 100 people have died during opposition protests.
President's 'mistakes'President's 'mistakes'
Andre Andriarijaona has now been sworn in as the new army chief. Andre Andriarijaona has now been sworn in as the new army chief, and he indicated his predecessor had been removed to preserve the cohesion of the army.
But he denied that the army was divided.
CRISIS TIMELINE 24 January: Opposition protests begin26 January: Two protesters shot dead27 January: At least 20 bodies found in burnt shop31 January: Rajoelina says he is in charge of the country3 February: Rajoelina sacked as the capital's mayor7 February: Security forces shoot dead at least 20 protesters8 March: Section of the army joins opposition9 March: Rajoelina under UN protection10 March: Defence minster ousted11 March: Army chief of staff forced out Q&A: Madagascar power struggle "Negotiations with the general were completed in the fraternity worthy of the army. Now all the corps in Madagascar are behind me, and our cohesion has not been affected," he said.CRISIS TIMELINE 24 January: Opposition protests begin26 January: Two protesters shot dead27 January: At least 20 bodies found in burnt shop31 January: Rajoelina says he is in charge of the country3 February: Rajoelina sacked as the capital's mayor7 February: Security forces shoot dead at least 20 protesters8 March: Section of the army joins opposition9 March: Rajoelina under UN protection10 March: Defence minster ousted11 March: Army chief of staff forced out Q&A: Madagascar power struggle "Negotiations with the general were completed in the fraternity worthy of the army. Now all the corps in Madagascar are behind me, and our cohesion has not been affected," he said.
The AFP news agency reports that only the president would normally appoint an army chief of staff.The AFP news agency reports that only the president would normally appoint an army chief of staff.
On Tuesday, dissident soldiers also forced the defence minister to resign.On Tuesday, dissident soldiers also forced the defence minister to resign.
Mr Rajoelina's spokesman earlier said that he would not attend a national conference on Thursday, at which he had been expected to hold talks with the president.Mr Rajoelina's spokesman earlier said that he would not attend a national conference on Thursday, at which he had been expected to hold talks with the president.
President Ravalomanana on Tuesday gave a rare national address, in which he admitted to making mistakes and called for an end to violence after two days of looting in the capital Antananarivo.President Ravalomanana on Tuesday gave a rare national address, in which he admitted to making mistakes and called for an end to violence after two days of looting in the capital Antananarivo.
The whereabouts of Mr Rajoelina are unclear after a French foreign ministry spokesman said he had left the French embassy in the capital Antananarivo.The whereabouts of Mr Rajoelina are unclear after a French foreign ministry spokesman said he had left the French embassy in the capital Antananarivo.
Frederic Desagneaux told AFP that Mr Rajoelina was no longer in the French embassy.Frederic Desagneaux told AFP that Mr Rajoelina 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.
The UN had said it would offer protection to the opposition leader.The UN had said it would offer protection to the opposition leader.
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.
Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former DJ and Antananarivo mayor, went into hiding last week after the security forces tried to arrest him.Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former DJ and Antananarivo mayor, went into hiding last week after the security forces tried to arrest him.