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Madagascar president 'to resign' Madagascar president 'to resign'
(10 minutes later)
Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana is to stand down and hand power to the military, sources in the president's office have told the BBC.Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana is to stand down and hand power to the military, sources in the president's office have told the BBC.
It comes hours after opposition leader Andry Rajoelina installed himself in the president's offices, seized on Monday by pro-opposition troops.It comes hours after opposition leader Andry Rajoelina installed himself in the president's offices, seized on Monday by pro-opposition troops.
Earlier, a number of government ministers quit, as power ebbed away from the president.Earlier, a number of government ministers quit, as power ebbed away from the president.
The crisis on the Indian Ocean island has left 100 people dead since January.The crisis on the Indian Ocean island has left 100 people dead since January.
"Apparently the president is handing over to the military and is going to make a declaration," an aide said in a text to the BBC."Apparently the president is handing over to the military and is going to make a declaration," an aide said in a text to the BBC.
"The order signed by Ravalomanana transfers the powers of the president and the prime minister to a military board," an unnamed diplomat told AFP news agency."The order signed by Ravalomanana transfers the powers of the president and the prime minister to a military board," an unnamed diplomat told AFP news agency.
On Tuesday, Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former disc jockey, addressed a rally of thousands of supporters after taking office at the presidential residence in central Antananarivo. The move marked a dramatic victory for Mr Rajoelina, who has led a campaign to topple the president after being sacked in February as mayor of Antananarivo.
Mr Ravalomanana was holed up at the Iavoloha palace, about 15km (nine miles) from the city centre, where he had earlier said he was ready to fight to the death. The 34-year-old former disc jockey took up office at the presidential residence in central Antananarivo on Tuesday before emerging to triumphantly parade among thousands of supporters.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher says the mood on the streets is one of relief as there had been fears of a bloody last stand if Mr Ravalomanana had continued to cling to power.
Mr Ravalomanana had earlier said he was ready to fight to the death at the Iavoloha palace, about 15km (nine miles) from the city centre.
On Monday, Mr Rajoelina, who has declared himself president, rejected Mr Ravalomanana's offer of a referendum to solve the crisis and called for his arrest.On Monday, Mr Rajoelina, who has declared himself president, rejected Mr Ravalomanana's offer of a referendum to solve the crisis and called for his arrest.
Later that day, troops stormed the presidential residence in downtown Antananarivo and also seized the central bank. Later that day, troops stormed the presidential residence in the centre of the capital and also seized the central bank.