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Madagascar president 'must quit' Madagascar president 'must quit'
(about 6 hours later)
The leader of Madagascar's mutinying troops has told President Marc Ravalomana to quit "at once". Pressure is mounting on the president of the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar to quit after a day of fresh protests in the capital Antananarivo.
Col Noel Rakotonandrasa said the political crisis that has wracked the island since January would be over by the end of the day. Elements within the army have called on Marc Ravalomanana to go, and the main opposition party is planning a new rally in the city centre on Saturday.
The president appealed to citizens to rally around his residence, prompting about 500 people to gather, while the opposition held a protest elsewhere. A presidential appeal for supporters to rally to his cause drew only about 500 people to his palace on Friday.
Mr Ravalomanana is in a power struggle with ex-city mayor Andy Rajoelina. The mutineers' leader predicted the crisis would end in the coming hours.
The military police and some units of the army are refusing to take orders from the government. Seven weeks of political tension in Madagascar has brought the country to the brink of military intervention, the BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo reports.
The army appears almost as divided as the politicians with support within the military both for President Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andri Rajoelin, the capital's former mayor
Mr Rajoelin is expected to emerge from hiding on Saturday to address the opposition rally.
The US ambassador has warned this could turn into civil war and, with the president's supporters pledging to defend his palace, any attempt at a military solution could be bloody.
At least 100 people have been killed since opposition protests began in late January.
For a country with unique rainforest and wildlife - the financial impact of the crisis is already clear, our correspondent adds.
A tourist industry worth nearly $400m a year has now had two months with no revenue.
Assassination fearAssassination fear
But there is a small military presence on the city's streets, despite earlier reports the army had deployed tanks. Col Noel Rakotonandrasa, leader of the mutinying troops, told President Ravalomanana to quit "at once" on Friday.
Col Rakotonandrasa told the BBC: "For sure there will be no resistance.
CRISIS TIMELINE 8 March: Section of the army joins opposition9 March: Rajoelina goes into hiding10 March: Defence minster ousted11 March: Army chief of staff forced out12 March: Military police chief joins dissidents Q&A: Madagascar power struggleCRISIS TIMELINE 8 March: Section of the army joins opposition9 March: Rajoelina goes into hiding10 March: Defence minster ousted11 March: Army chief of staff forced out12 March: Military police chief joins dissidents Q&A: Madagascar power struggle
"For sure there will be no resistance," he told the BBC.
"But if there is any, there's other solutions we can discuss with the presidential guard. We want the president to go, so he should resign at once.""But if there is any, there's other solutions we can discuss with the presidential guard. We want the president to go, so he should resign at once."
He said a UN official had gone to see the president to convey the mutineers' wishes that he step down.He said a UN official had gone to see the president to convey the mutineers' wishes that he step down.
"Something will happen between now and the end of the day," he added. Despite reports that the army had deployed tanks, there appeared to be little military presence on the city's streets on Friday.
Mr Ravalomanana said he would do everything to try to re-establish order but added that his life was under threat.Mr Ravalomanana said he would do everything to try to re-establish order but added that his life was under threat.
He said: "My assassination would not be in your interest. The people would suffer, and the international community would not accept it.He said: "My assassination would not be in your interest. The people would suffer, and the international community would not accept it.
"Once again, I call on the army and the forces of order to remain united, and remain neutral.""Once again, I call on the army and the forces of order to remain united, and remain neutral."
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in the capital says residents told him they had gathered outside the presidential palace to protect democracy in response to Mr Ravalomana's radio appeal for help. Residents gathered outside the presidential palace saying they wanted to protect democracy in response to Mr Ravalomana's radio appeal.
According to AFP news agency, about 2,000 opposition protesters also gathered on Friday at the city's May 13 Square for a new rally in support of Mr Rajoelina.According to AFP news agency, about 2,000 opposition protesters also gathered on Friday at the city's May 13 Square for a new rally in support of Mr Rajoelina.
The opposition leader has been attempting to establish a parallel government by naming an alternative cabinet.The opposition leader has been attempting to establish a parallel government by naming an alternative cabinet.
Correspondents say that as the country sinks into political chaos it is not clear who has the upper hand.
At least 100 people have died in opposition protests that began in late January.
The US ambassador to Madagascar warned on Wednesday that the country was on the verge of civil war.
Mr Rajoelina is a 34-year-old former DJ and businessman who was sacked as mayor of the capital last month.Mr Rajoelina is a 34-year-old former DJ and businessman who was sacked as mayor of the capital last month.
He went into hiding last week after the security forces tried to arrest him.He went into hiding last week after the security forces tried to arrest him.
On Thursday, military police leader Gen Pily Gilbain said his forces were no longer taking orders from the government.
It came a day after a colonel, Andre Andriarijaona, appointed himself head of the army, ousting his predecessor who was appointed by the president.
Under President Ravalomanana, Madagascar's economy has opened to foreign investment, particularly in the mining sector, BBC World Affairs correspondent Adam Mynott reports.
But he says little of this has tricked down to the 70% of Madagascar's population of 20 million who live on incomes of less than $2 (£1.40) a day, and the opposition has tapped into growing resentment.
Meanwhile, foreign governments are advising people not to travel to Madagascar and the tourist industry, a vital source of revenue, is reeling. Over 95% of foreign bookings have been cancelled.
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.
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