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Madagascar leader defies troops Madagascar leader defies troops
(about 1 hour later)
Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana remains hunkered down in his palace, a day after pro-opposition soldiers seized his offices. Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana remains hunkered down in his palace, a day after pro-opposition soldiers stormed his downtown offices.
Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina is expected to enter the captured offices in central Antananarivo shortly. Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina is expected to enter the seized residence in central Antananarivo shortly.
Hundreds of supporters have formed a human shield at Mr Ravalomanana's palace a few miles away. He says he is ready to die with his guards. A few miles away, hundreds of Mr Ravalomanana's supporters have formed a human shield at his palace. He says he is ready to die with his guards.
The African Union has condemned the opposition's "attempted coup d'etat".The African Union has condemned the opposition's "attempted coup d'etat".
But speaking to the BBC, Mr Rajoelina denied that Monday's seizure of the residence in the centre of the capital amounted to a coup. But Mr Rajoelina, who has declared himself president, told the BBC Mr Ravalomanana no longer had the right or the power to run the country.
FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service Mr Ravalomanana was elected to a second term in office in 2006 and under him, Madagascar's economy has opened up to foreign investment, particularly in the mining sector.
The opposition leader, who has declared himself president, said Mr Ravalomanana no longer had the right or the power to run the country. 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.
The seven-week power struggle between the two men has spawned a military mutiny and violent protests that have left at least 100 people dead on the Indian Ocean island since January.The seven-week power struggle between the two men has spawned a military mutiny and violent protests that have left at least 100 people dead on the Indian Ocean island since January.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo says Mr Ravalomanana must be really feeling the pressure, as it looks as though it may only be a matter of time until the troops march on his other residence.The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo says Mr Ravalomanana must be really feeling the pressure, as it looks as though it may only be a matter of time until the troops march on his other residence.
But he adds any attempt to seize the Iavoloha palace, about 15km (nine miles) from the city centre, could be bloody if the presidential guard and the president's civilian supporters put up a fight. 'No bloodletting'
But he adds any attempt to seize the Iavoloha palace, about 15km (nine miles) from the city centre, could be bloody if the presidential guard and Mr Ravalomanana's civilian supporters put up a fight.
CRISIS TIMELINE Dec 2006: Marc Ravalomanana re-elected as president31 Jan 2009: Opposition's Andry Rajoelina 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 In pictures: Storming a palaceMalagasy views on standoffCrisis isolates presidentCRISIS TIMELINE Dec 2006: Marc Ravalomanana re-elected as president31 Jan 2009: Opposition's Andry Rajoelina 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 In pictures: Storming a palaceMalagasy views on standoffCrisis isolates president
Mr Ravalomanana' spokesman told Reuters news agency: "The president plans to stay in Madagascar. He said this to the presidential guard... 'I will die with you if I have to.'"
On Monday, Mr Rajoelina rejected a proposal from the president for a referendum on whether he should complete his term.On Monday, Mr Rajoelina rejected a proposal from the president for a referendum on whether he should complete his term.
The opposition leader instead called for the arrest of the president and won public backing from the self-declared head of the armed forces. The opposition leader instead called for the arrest of Mr Ravalomanana and won public backing from the self-declared head of the armed forces.
Explosions and gunfire erupted as pro-opposition troops in armoured cars smashed down the gates to Mr Ravalomanana's offices in the centre of Antananarivo. Explosions and gunfire erupted as pro-opposition troops in armoured cars smashed down the gates to the president's offices in the centre of Antananarivo.
The president was holed up at the Iavoloha palace at the time.The president was holed up at the Iavoloha palace at the time.
Col Andre Ndriarijaona, who last week said he had replaced the military chief of staff, told AFP news agency that soldiers had seized the presidency "to hasten Ravalomanana's departure".
But he added: "We are against any bloodletting, so we won't go there until we obtain guarantees on the presidential guard's intentions."
Our correspondent says people in the capital are trying to conduct their business as usual - but many are clearly in shock after Monday's events.Our correspondent says people in the capital are trying to conduct their business as usual - but many are clearly in shock after Monday's events.
He 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.He 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 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.
Mr Ravalomanana's supporters say his rival is a young troublemaker who has not offered any policy alternatives.Mr Ravalomanana's supporters say his rival is a young troublemaker who has not offered any policy alternatives.
Mr Ravalomanana was re-elected for a second term in office in 2006 and his mandate is due to expire in 2011.Mr Ravalomanana was re-elected for a second term in office in 2006 and his mandate is due to expire in 2011.
Under him, Madagascar's economy has opened up to foreign investment, particularly in the mining sector.Under him, 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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