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Madagascar army storms presidency Madagascar army storms presidency
(21 minutes later)
Explosions and gunfire have been heard in the centre of Madagascar's capital after the army stormed a residence of President Marc Ravalomanana.Explosions and gunfire have been heard in the centre of Madagascar's capital after the army stormed a residence of President Marc Ravalomanana.
Witnesses saw soldiers drive at least one armoured vehicle through the gates of the palace in Antananarivo.Witnesses saw soldiers drive at least one armoured vehicle through the gates of the palace in Antananarivo.
It came after opposition leader Andry Rajoelina called for the arrest of the president and won public backing from the armed forces' self-declared head.It came after opposition leader Andry Rajoelina called for the arrest of the president and won public backing from the armed forces' self-declared head.
Mr Ravalomanana is in another palace, 10km (six miles) from the city centre. Mr Ravalomanana was in another palace, 15km (nine miles) from the city centre.
Protests, looting and a mutiny have resulted from the unrest that has left at least 100 people dead since January. The fierce power struggle on the Indian Ocean island has triggered a military mutiny, looting and violent protests that have left at least 100 people dead since January.
'Attempted coup' condemned
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo says round after round could be seen being fired into the night sky as soldiers celebrated the easy capture of the residence.
There are unconfirmed reports the central bank has also been seized by soldiers, he adds.
Earlier on Monday, the embattled president again proposed a referendum to resolve the seven-week political crisis. 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: Army storms presidential office Malagasy views on standoffCrisis isolates presidentQ&A: Madagascar in crisisMadagascar's 'young pretender'Earlier on Monday, the embattled president again proposed a referendum to resolve the seven-week political crisis. 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: Army storms presidential office Malagasy views on standoffCrisis isolates presidentQ&A: Madagascar in crisisMadagascar's 'young pretender'
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 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.
But the opposition leader rejected Mr Ravalomanana's plebiscite plan and called for the security forces to arrest him.But the opposition leader rejected Mr Ravalomanana's plebiscite plan and called for the security forces to arrest him.
Mr Rajoelina said: "The people are thirsty for change and that's why we won't have a referendum and will put our transitional government in place."Mr Rajoelina said: "The people are thirsty for change and that's why we won't have a referendum and will put our transitional government in place."
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. Our correspondent 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 African Union condemned this as an "attempted coup d'etat" and called on Madagascar to respect its constitution.
The opposition leader, a 34-year-old former disc jockey, says the president is a tyrant who misspends public money.The opposition leader, a 34-year-old former disc jockey, 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.
The army has traditionally remained neutral during periods of political volatility since independence from France in 1960.The army has traditionally remained neutral during periods of political volatility since independence from France in 1960.
But on Monday a mutinous colonel, who last week ousted the head of the army, declared the army's support for the opposition. But on Monday a mutinous colonel, who last week ousted the head of the military, declared the army's support for the opposition.
"We are there for the Malagasy people. If Andry Rajoelina can resolve the problem, we are behind him," said Colonel Andre Ndriarijaona. "We are there for the Malagasy people. If Andry Rajoelina can resolve the problem, we are behind him," said Col Andre Ndriarijaona.
"I would say 99% of the forces are behind him.""I would say 99% of the forces are behind him."
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.
Are you in Madagascar? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Madagascar? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos 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 and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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