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/7942252.stm

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 24 Version 25
Malagasy leader given ultimatum Malagasy leader given ultimatum
(10 minutes later)
Madagascar's opposition leader has threatened to lead marchers to the presidential palace if President Marc Ravalomanana does not step down.Madagascar's opposition leader has threatened to lead marchers to the presidential palace if President Marc Ravalomanana does not step down.
Andry Rajoelina, who emerged from hiding to address a mass rally in the capital, said the president had until Saturday afternoon to resign "humbly".Andry Rajoelina, who emerged from hiding to address a mass rally in the capital, said the president had until Saturday afternoon to resign "humbly".
Opposition leaders - who are trying to set up their own government - have occupied the prime minister's offices.Opposition leaders - who are trying to set up their own government - have occupied the prime minister's offices.
President Ravalomanana says he has no plans to resign.
"Of course I'm still the president," he told Reuters news agency after emerging from the presidential palace to speak to reporters.
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.
'One demand''One demand'
The Indian Ocean island nation has been rocked by seven weeks of riots, protests and looting amid the fierce power struggle between President Ravalomanana and Mr Rajoelina.The Indian Ocean island nation has been rocked by seven weeks of riots, protests and looting amid the fierce power struggle between President Ravalomanana and Mr Rajoelina.
I, Andry Rajoelina, am ready to carry out the democratic handover of power Madagascar opposition leader In pictures: Madagascar unrestQ&A: Madagascar in crisis
The opposition leader - who was sacked by the government as mayor of the capital last month - went into hiding on 5 March after security forces tried to arrest him.The opposition leader - who was sacked by the government as mayor of the capital last month - went into hiding on 5 March after security forces tried to arrest him.
I, Andry Rajoelina, am ready to carry out the democratic handover of power Madagascar opposition leader Q&A: Madagascar in crisis
On Saturday, 5,000 of his supporters, clad in orange T-shirts and hats, gathered as Mr Rajoelina reappeared to speak at Antananarivo's 13 May Plaza.On Saturday, 5,000 of his supporters, clad in orange T-shirts and hats, gathered as Mr Rajoelina reappeared to speak at Antananarivo's 13 May Plaza.
The square has been the epicentre of popular revolts since independence from France in 1960.The square has been the epicentre of popular revolts since independence from France in 1960.
The 34-year-old businessman and former DJ said: "There is only one demand, that's the departure of Ravalomanana.The 34-year-old businessman and former DJ said: "There is only one demand, that's the departure of Ravalomanana.
"We will wait four hours. I, Andry Rajoelina, am ready to carry out the democratic handover of power.""We will wait four hours. I, Andry Rajoelina, am ready to carry out the democratic handover of power."
He added: "I am going to go to Iavoloha (presidential palace) to say goodbye to him." He added: "I am going to go to Iavoloha [presidential palace] to say goodbye to him."
But President Ravalomanana issued a statement saying he was still in power despite opposition claims, AFP news agency reported.
'Civil war''Civil war'
The BBC's Jonah Fisher says the presidential palace on the outskirts of the capital is defended by hundreds of Mr Ravalomanana's supporters, who responded to his radio appeal on Friday to rally to his cause.The BBC's Jonah Fisher says the presidential palace on the outskirts of the capital is defended by hundreds of Mr Ravalomanana's supporters, who responded to his radio appeal on Friday to rally to his cause.
CRISIS TIMELINE December 2006: Marc Ravalomanana returned as president for second termJanuary 2009: Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina says he is in charge of the country after weeks of bloody protests8 March: Part of army joins opposition13 March: President Ravolamanana urges supporters to turn out and defend his authority Q&A: Madagascar power struggle CRISIS TIMELINE December 2006: Marc Ravalomanana returned as president for second term31 January 2009: Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina says he is in charge of the country after weeks of bloody protests3 February: Mr Rajoelina is sacked as mayor of Antananarivo5 March: Mr Rajoelina goes into hiding8 March: Part of army joins opposition13 March: President Ravolamanana urges supporters to turn out and defend his authority Q&A: Madagascar power struggle
Our correspondent in Antananarivo says it is still possible the mutiny-hit army could step in, although it too is divided, raising the prospect of what the US ambassador has warned of: civil war.Our correspondent in Antananarivo says it is still possible the mutiny-hit army could step in, although it too is divided, raising the prospect of what the US ambassador has warned of: civil war.
Mr Rajoelina - who accuses the president of being a tyrant who misspends public money - has been trying to establish an alternative cabinet, with himself as president.Mr Rajoelina - who accuses the president of being a tyrant who misspends public money - has been trying to establish an alternative cabinet, with himself as president.
Opposition activists and leaders earlier on Saturday took control of the prime minister's headquarters in the capital.Opposition activists and leaders earlier on Saturday took control of the prime minister's headquarters in the capital.
Roindefo Zafitsimivalo Monja, who the opposition wants to install as the new premier, spoke to reporters from the occupied offices.Roindefo Zafitsimivalo Monja, who the opposition wants to install as the new premier, spoke to reporters from the occupied offices.
"The president of the republic is no longer in a position to exercise the role allocated to him by the constitution," he said, according to AFP news agency. "It is clear the armed forces refuse to obey the president.""The president of the republic is no longer in a position to exercise the role allocated to him by the constitution," he said, according to AFP news agency. "It is clear the armed forces refuse to obey the president."
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 - has 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 - has vowed to re-establish order but said his life was under threat.
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.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
 Name