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| Call to arrest Madagascar leader | Call to arrest Madagascar leader |
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| Madagascar opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has asked security forces to arrest President Marc Ravalomanana, after snubbing his referendum proposal. | Madagascar opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has asked security forces to arrest President Marc Ravalomanana, after snubbing his referendum proposal. |
| Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former DJ, said he knew what the people wanted and added he was impatient to take office. | Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former DJ, said he knew what the people wanted and added he was impatient to take office. |
| The African Union condemned this as an "attempted coup d'etat" and called on Madagascar to respect its constitution. | The African Union condemned this as an "attempted coup d'etat" and called on Madagascar to respect its constitution. |
| Protests, looting and a mutiny has resulted from the unrest that has left at least 100 people dead since January. | Protests, looting and a mutiny has resulted from the unrest that has left at least 100 people dead since January. |
| The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo says Mr Rajoelina has wrapped himself in the cloak of democracy, but he wants to replace an elected head of state without going to a ballot. | The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo says Mr Rajoelina has wrapped himself in the cloak of democracy, but he wants to replace an elected head of state without going to a ballot. |
| FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service | FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service |
| Earlier the army denied responsibility after two suspected mortar shells landed not far from the presidential palace. | Earlier the army denied responsibility after two suspected mortar shells landed not far from the presidential palace. |
| A spokesman for the president said the blasts had been designed to intimidate his supporters. | A spokesman for the president said the blasts had been designed to intimidate his supporters. |
| On Monday, President Ravalomanana told a cabinet meeting he would only step down "democratically". | On Monday, President Ravalomanana told a cabinet meeting he would only step down "democratically". |
| He also revealed the question for his proposed referendum to settle the crisis would be: "Do you accept for the current president of the republic to complete his mandate as provided by the constitution?" | He also revealed the question for his proposed referendum to settle the crisis would be: "Do you accept for the current president of the republic to complete his mandate as provided by the constitution?" |
| Mr Ravalomanana, who was democratically re-elected for a second term in office in 2006, has previously said he wants to remain in office until his mandate expires in 2011. | Mr Ravalomanana, who was democratically re-elected for a second term in office in 2006, has previously said he wants to remain in office until his mandate expires in 2011. |
| CRISIS TIMELINE Dec 2006: Marc Ravalomanana (r) re-elected as president31 Jan 2009: Opposition's Andry Rajoelina (l) says he is in charge3 Feb: Rajoelina sacked as mayor of Antananarivo; protests intensify8 Feb: Security forces fire on opposition rally leaving 28 dead11 March: Dissident troops oust army chief15 March: Ravalomanana proposes to hold referendum16 March: Rajoelina calls for president's arrest Madagascar views on power struggleCrisis isolates presidentQ&A: Madagascar in crisisMadagascar's 'young pretender' | CRISIS TIMELINE Dec 2006: Marc Ravalomanana (r) re-elected as president31 Jan 2009: Opposition's Andry Rajoelina (l) says he is in charge3 Feb: Rajoelina sacked as mayor of Antananarivo; protests intensify8 Feb: Security forces fire on opposition rally leaving 28 dead11 March: Dissident troops oust army chief15 March: Ravalomanana proposes to hold referendum16 March: Rajoelina calls for president's arrest Madagascar views on power struggleCrisis isolates presidentQ&A: Madagascar in crisisMadagascar's 'young pretender' |
| But the opposition leader rejected the plebiscite plan and called for the president to be arrested. | But the opposition leader rejected the plebiscite plan and called for the president to be arrested. |
| He said earlier: "The people are thirsty for change and that's why we won't have a referendum and will put our transitional government in place." | He said earlier: "The people are thirsty for change and that's why we won't have a referendum and will put our transitional government in place." |
| Our correspondent says it is now up to the security forces to decide what happens next - but it is not an easy choice. | Our correspondent says it is now up to the security forces to decide what happens next - but it is not an easy choice. |
| He adds they must decide whether to throw in their lot with the flashy young opposition leader or remain loyal to the embattled but democratically-elected president. | He adds they must decide whether to throw in their lot with the flashy young opposition leader or remain loyal to the embattled but democratically-elected president. |
| Mr Rajoelina says the president is a tyrant who misspends public money. | Mr Rajoelina says the president is a tyrant who misspends public money. |
| But Mr Ravalomanana's supporters say his rival is a young troublemaker who has not offered any policy alternatives. | But Mr Ravalomanana's supporters say his rival is a young troublemaker who has not offered any policy alternatives. |
| Under President Ravalomanana, Madagascar's economy has opened up to foreign investment, particularly in the mining sector. | Under President Ravalomanana, Madagascar's economy has opened up to foreign investment, particularly in the mining sector. |
| But 70% of the 20 million population still lives on less than $2 (£1.40) a day and correspondents say the opposition has tapped into popular frustration at the failure of this new wealth to trickle down. | But 70% of the 20 million population still lives on less than $2 (£1.40) a day and correspondents say the opposition has tapped into popular frustration at the failure of this new wealth to trickle down. |