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'Change needed' in Madagascar 'Change needed' in Madagascar
(10 minutes later)
Andry Rajoelina, the former disc jockey who has taken power in Madagascar, says there must be changes to the constitution so elections can be held.Andry Rajoelina, the former disc jockey who has taken power in Madagascar, says there must be changes to the constitution so elections can be held.
Military leaders conferred full powers on the 34-year-old after President Marc Ravalomanana resigned, refusing his request to form a military directorate.Military leaders conferred full powers on the 34-year-old after President Marc Ravalomanana resigned, refusing his request to form a military directorate.
But under the current constitution, the opposition leader is six years too young to be elected president.But under the current constitution, the opposition leader is six years too young to be elected president.
He told the BBC free and fair elections would be held within two years.He told the BBC free and fair elections would be held within two years.
On Tuesday he installed himself in the president's offices, which were seized a day earlier by pro-opposition troops.On Tuesday he installed himself in the president's offices, which were seized a day earlier by pro-opposition troops.
'No power vacuum'
The political turmoil on the Indian Ocean island has left more than 100 people dead since January.The political turmoil on the Indian Ocean island has left more than 100 people dead since January.
MADAGASCAR KEY FACTS World's fourth largest islandBiodiversity hotspotExposed to tropical cyclonesPopulation 20 million70% live on less than $1 a dayFrench colony until 1960World's No 1 vanilla producer Country profilePresident bows to inevitableMadagascar's young pretender
"There must not be a power vacuum," Mr Rajoelina told the BBC's World Today programme."There must not be a power vacuum," Mr Rajoelina told the BBC's World Today programme.
"The life of the country cannot wait, so for this reason the people, the very life force of Madagascar, have named me as president of the republic to govern the transition in order to prepare for elections that will be held within the next 18 to 24 months.""The life of the country cannot wait, so for this reason the people, the very life force of Madagascar, have named me as president of the republic to govern the transition in order to prepare for elections that will be held within the next 18 to 24 months."
The African Union had urged the army not to hand power to Mr Rajoelina, saying this would amount to a coup. Asked why earlier elections would not be held, Mr Rajoelina said he did not want "history to repeat itself".
The Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) condemned in advance any direct seizure of power by Mr Rajoelina.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed grave concern at the unrest in Madagascar, appealing to all parties to ensure a "smooth transition".
'Deep reflection'
Asked why earlier elections would not be held, Mr Rajoelina said he did not want "history to repeat itself". MADAGASCAR KEY FACTS World's fourth largest islandBiodiversity hotspotExposed to tropical cyclonesPopulation 20 million70% live on less than $1 a dayFrench colony until 1960World's No 1 vanilla producer Country profilePresident bows to inevitableMadagascar's young pretender
"We'll have to change the constitution," he told the BBC. "We'll have to analyse the law on political parties, the electoral code; we need time to do all this.""We'll have to change the constitution," he told the BBC. "We'll have to analyse the law on political parties, the electoral code; we need time to do all this."
Asked about the future of Mr Ravalomanana, who resigned on Tuesday, Mr Rajoelina said that was up to the judiciary.Asked about the future of Mr Ravalomanana, who resigned on Tuesday, Mr Rajoelina said that was up to the judiciary.
The BBC's Christina Corbett in the capital says foreign investors have been scared away and the social and economic consequences are going to be very acute and long lasting. The African Union had urged the army not to hand power to Mr Rajoelina, saying this would amount to a coup.
She says the whereabouts of Mr Ravalomanana, who was holed up at his Iavoloha palace on the outskirts of the capital, are currently unknown. The Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) condemned in advance any direct seizure of power by Mr Rajoelina.
Mr Ravalomanana announced on Tuesday he was resigning and handing over to the military. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed grave concern at the unrest, appealing to all parties to ensure a "smooth transition".
But Vice Adm Hyppolite Ramaroson said the army was giving full powers to Mr Rajoelina "to become president of the high transitional authority". The opposition leader has already appointed a prime minister and is expected to fill the rest of the country's ministries in the coming days.
The president's decision to cede power marked a dramatic victory for Mr Rajoelina, who was sacked as mayor of the capital in February. The BBC's Christina Corbett in the capital says the whereabouts of Mr Ravalomanana, who was holed up at his Iavoloha palace on the outskirts of the capital, are currently unknown.
Mr Ravalomanana's decision to cede power marked a dramatic victory for Mr Rajoelina, who was sacked as mayor of the capital in February.
On Monday, Mr Rajoelina rejected Mr Ravalomanana's offer of a referendum to solve the crisis and called for his arrest.On Monday, Mr Rajoelina 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 seized the central bank.Later that day, troops stormed the presidential residence in the centre of the capital and seized the central bank.
Our correspondent says foreign investors have been scared away and the social and economic consequences are likely to be acute and long lasting.
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 $1 (£0.7) 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 $1 (£0.7) a day and correspondents say the opposition has tapped into popular frustration at the failure of this new wealth to trickle down.