This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7948196.stm
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Madagascar president steps down | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana has said he is standing down and handing power to the military. | |
| But speaking in a radio broadcast, Mr Ravalomanana said an unnamed general had turned down an offer to take over. | |
| The news came after opposition leader Andry Rajoelina installed himself in the president's offices, seized on Monday by pro-opposition troops. | |
| Mr Ravalomanana has reportedly left the Iavoloha palace on the fringes of the capital for an undisclosed location. | Mr Ravalomanana has reportedly left the Iavoloha palace on the fringes of the capital for an undisclosed location. |
| 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. |
| The BBC's Jonah Fisher in the capital Antananarivo says it seems clear that Mr Ravalomanana is stepping down, though there is some confusion over how it will be done. | |
| In his radio address the president advised people to carry on listening to broadcasts. | |
| Earlier, a spokesman for Mr Ravalomanana told Reuters news agency power had been handed to the most senior figure in the military, navy admiral Hyppolite Ramaroson. | |
| As the military backs Mr Rajoelina, in this case power would effectively be handed over to the opposition leader, our correspondent says. | |
| The move marks a dramatic victory for Mr Rajoelina, who was sacked as mayor of the capital in February. | The move marks a dramatic victory for Mr Rajoelina, who was sacked as mayor of the capital in February. |
| The 34-year-old former disc jockey took up office at the presidential residence in central Antananarivo on Tuesday before emerging triumphantly to parade among thousands of supporters. | The 34-year-old former disc jockey took up office at the presidential residence in central Antananarivo on Tuesday before emerging triumphantly to parade among thousands of supporters. |
| He has announced there will be a new constitution and elections within 24 months. | He has announced there will be a new constitution and elections within 24 months. |
| Our correspondent 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. | Our correspondent 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. |
| Earlier, a number of government ministers quit, as power ebbed away from the president. MADAGASCAR KEY FACTS World's fourth largest islandBiodiversity hotspotExposed to tropical cyclonesPopulation 20 million70% live on less than $1 a dayFrench colony until 1960 class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1063208.stm">Country profile class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7946999.stm">In pictures: Storming a palace class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7946147.stm">Malagasy views on standoff | |
| Mr Ravalomanana had said he was ready to fight to the death at the Iavoloha palace, about 15km (nine miles) from the city centre. | Mr Ravalomanana had 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 the centre of the capital 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. |
| The African Union on Monday condemned the events in Madagascar "attempted coup d'etat". | The African Union on Monday condemned the events in Madagascar "attempted coup d'etat". |
| Mr Ravalomanana was re-elected for a second term in office in 2006 and under him, Madagascar's economy has opened up to foreign investment, particularly in mining. | Mr Ravalomanana was re-elected for a second term in office in 2006 and under him, Madagascar's economy has opened up to foreign investment, particularly in mining. |
| 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. |
| Mr Rajoelina had said the president has been a tyrant who misspent public money but Mr Ravalomanana's supporters said his rival is a young troublemaker who has not offered any policy alternatives. | Mr Rajoelina had said the president has been a tyrant who misspent public money but Mr Ravalomanana's supporters said his rival is a young troublemaker who has not offered any policy alternatives. |
| 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. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |