Madagascar's opposition leader has joined protesters in the capital Antananarivo demanding that President Marc Ravalomanana quit.
Madagascar's opposition leader has emerged from hiding at a mass rally in the capital Antananarivo to demand that President Marc Ravalomanana quit.
Andry Rajoelina - who went into hiding last week following an by the security forces attempt to arrest him - is expected to address the rally.
Andry Rajoelina - who vanished on 5 March after the security forces tried to arrest him - is to address several thousand supporters in the city.
Mutinying army troops have also called on the president to resign, leaving the nation close to military intervention.
Mutinying army troops have also called on the president to resign, leaving the nation close to military intervention.
At least 100 people have died since protests broke out in late January.
At least 100 people have died since protests broke out in late January.
The fierce power struggle between Mr Rajoelina and President Ravalomanana has brought seven weeks of riots, protests and looting.
The fierce power struggle between Mr Rajoelina and President Ravalomanana has brought seven weeks of riots, protests and looting.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo says the army appears almost as divided as the politicians and there is support within the military for both rivals.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo says the army appears almost as divided as the politicians and there is support within the military for both rivals.
But a radio appeal by the president for supporters to rally to his cause has drawn only several hundred people to his palace.
On Saturday, several thousand opposition supporters, clad in orange T-shirts and hats, gathered at Antananarivo's 13 May Plaza, which has been epicentre of popular revolts since independence from France in 1960.
Opposition supporters, clad in orange T-shirts and hats, gathered on Saturday at Antananarivo's 13 May Plaza, which has been epicentre of popular revolts since independence from France in 1960.
But only several hundred people gathered at the presidential palace, following a radio appeal by Mr Ravalomanana to rally to his cause.
On Wednesday, the leader of a widening mutiny within the army ousted the chief of staff and a day later the military police said it would no longer take orders from the government.
On Wednesday, the leader of a widening mutiny within the army ousted the chief of staff and a day later the military police said it would no longer take orders from the government.
Col Noel Rakotonandrasa, spokesman for the dissident troops, urged the president to quit "at once" on Friday. "For sure there will be no resistance," he told the BBC.
Col Noel Rakotonandrasa, spokesman for the dissident troops, urged the president to quit "at once" on Friday. "For sure there will be no resistance," he told the BBC.
Mr Ravalomanana - who has said he wants to stay in power until his mandate runs out in 2011 - vowed to re-establish order but said his life was under threat.
Mr Ravalomanana - who has said he wants to stay in power until his mandate runs out in 2011 - vowed to re-establish order but said his life was under threat.
"My assassination would not be in your interest," he said. "The people would suffer, and the international community would not accept it."
"My assassination would not be in your interest," he said. "The people would suffer, and the international community would not accept it."
Mr Rajoelina is a 34-year-old businessman and former DJ who was sacked last month by the government as mayor of the capital.
Mr Rajoelina is a 34-year-old businessman and former DJ who was sacked last month by the government as mayor of the capital.
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Opposition and pro-government demonstrators holding rival rallies
Opposition and pro-government demonstrators holding rival rallies
The opposition leader - who accuses the president of being a tyrant who has misspent public money - has been trying to establish a parallel government by naming an alternative cabinet.
The opposition leader - who accuses the president of being a tyrant who misspends public money - has been trying to establish a parallel government by naming an alternative cabinet.
The US state department warned on Friday the situation in Madagascar had "entered a dangerous phase" and urged the political rivals to "urgently commit" to talks.
The US state department warned on Friday the situation in Madagascar had "entered a dangerous phase" and urged the political rivals to "urgently commit" to talks.
For a country with unique rainforest and wildlife - the financial impact of the crisis is already clear, our correspondent says.
For a country with unique rainforest and wildlife - the financial impact of the crisis is already clear, our correspondent says.
A tourist industry worth nearly $400m (£290m) a year has now had two months with no revenue.
A tourist industry worth nearly $400m (£290m) a year has now had two months with no revenue.
Under President Ravalomanana, Madagascar's economy has opened to foreign investment but 70% of the nation's 20 million population still live on incomes of less than $2 (£1.40) a day.
Under President Ravalomanana, Madagascar's economy has opened to foreign investment but 70% of the nation's 20 million population still live on incomes of less than $2 (£1.40) a day.
Are you in Madagascar? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Are you in Madagascar? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
