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| Madagascar rival in seized office | Madagascar rival in seized office |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Madagascar's opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has moved into the offices of President Marc Ravalomanana a day after their capture by pro-opposition troops. | Madagascar's opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has moved into the offices of President Marc Ravalomanana a day after their capture by pro-opposition troops. |
| He told thousands of supporters eight government ministers had quit, as power seem to ebb away from the president. | |
| Mr Ravalomanana - who is taking refuge in his residence on the outskirts of the capital Antananarivo - said earlier he was ready to fight to the death. | Mr Ravalomanana - who is taking refuge in his residence on the outskirts of the capital Antananarivo - said earlier he was ready to fight to the death. |
| More than 100 people have died since the political crisis began in January. | More than 100 people have died since the political crisis began in January. |
| The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Antananarivo says it may be only a matter of time until the troops march on Mr Ravalomanana's other residence, 15km (nine miles) from the city centre. | |
| But he adds any attempt to seize the Iavoloha palace could be bloody if they meet resistance from the presidential guard and hundreds of Mr Ravalomanana's supporters, who have formed a human shield. | |
| However, the head of the pro-opposition army faction has said he does not want any bloodletting and would try to avoid confrontation with the presidential guard. | |
| Thousands of opposition supporters gathered in Antananarivo, chanting "president, president", reports Reuters news agency. | |
| "Many ministers have handed in their resignation to me," Mr Rajoelina told them. | |
| The African Union has condemned the opposition's "attempted coup d'etat", but Mr Rajoelina says the president has no right to stay in power. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |