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Protesters injured in Madagascar Protesters injured in Madagascar
(about 7 hours later)
At least 30 people have been injured - some from gunshot wounds - at an anti-government rally in Madagascar. Thirty-four people have been injured - some from gun shots - at an anti-government rally in Madagascar.
Some 15,000 supporters of ousted President Marc Ravalomanana clashed with police in the capital. About 15,000 protesters demanding the return of President Marc Ravalomanana, who was ousted last month, clashed with police in the capital, Antananarivo.
They have been demanding the return of their leader, who was ousted by an army-backed coup last week.
Tear gas was used against demonstrators who turned out in record numbers to protest for a sixth consecutive day against new leader Andry Rajoelina.Tear gas was used against demonstrators who turned out in record numbers to protest for a sixth consecutive day against new leader Andry Rajoelina.
Protesters - who have called for a general strike to start on Monday - are trying to move closer to government offices now occupied by supporters of Mr Rajoelina, the former opposition leader. In a recorded message, Mr Ravalomanana promised he would return soon.
The BBC's Jonny Hogg, in Antananarivo, says it remains unclear whether the security forces have been shooting in the air or at the protesters themselves. The deposed leader, who fled after he was toppled on 17 March, is in Swaziland ahead of Monday's meeting by regional leaders to discuss possible sanctions against Madagascar.
The gunfire is now coming from various different points within the centre of the capital, our correspondent adds. Mr Ravalomanana urged supporters in a speech broadcast on private media: "Keep going, consolidate your movement so that the entire world can know that we won't stop until the rule of law is re-established," reported AP news agency.
There have been several injuries and unconfirmed reports of possibly eight people dead, says our correspondent. "I beseech you not to accept the repression that certain people want to impose, the division they want to create. We must show our unity, our solidarity."
Earlier on Saturday protesters tried to reach government offices now occupied by supporters of Mr Rajoelina, the former opposition leader.
They have called for a general strike to start on Monday.
International backlashInternational backlash
Mr Ravalomanana is in Swaziland ahead of next week's meeting by regional leaders to discuss possible sanctions against Madagascar. The BBC's Jonny Hogg in Antananarivo says it remains unclear whether the security forces were shooting in the air or at the protesters themselves.
In a message to his supporters earlier in the week, he described his removal from power as a coup. Marc Ravalomanana quit on 17 March after soldiers stormed his offices
Mr Rajoelina's military-backed government has offered reconciliation talks with allies of the ousted leader. The gunfire came from various different points within the centre of the capital, our correspondent adds.
Marc Ravalomanana quit last week after soldiers stormed his offices The Ravoahangy Andrianavalona Hospital said in a statement that 34 people had been injured, including two children aged 12 and 14, although 21 had already been discharged.
The new leader has said reconciliation talks were scheduled for 2-3 April, but members of Mr Ravalomanana's political party have not confirmed whether they would join the proposed dialogue. Mr Rajoelina's military-backed government has offered reconciliation talks early next month with allies of Mr Ravalomanana.
The new government has come under increasing pressure from the daily protests and a growing international backlash against his rise to power. But members of the ousted leader's political party have not confirmed whether they would join the proposed dialogue.
The new government has come under increasing pressure from the daily protests and a growing international backlash against Mr Rajoelina's rise to power.
The African Union has already announced Madagascar's suspension, while the United States and European Union have described Mr Rajoelina's accession as a coup.The African Union has already announced Madagascar's suspension, while the United States and European Union have described Mr Rajoelina's accession as a coup.
Mr Ravalomanana, 59, resigned as president on 17 March, clearing the way for Mr Rajoelina to take power after a bitter three-month power struggle during which around 100 civilians died. Mr Ravalomanana, 59, resigned after weeks of often violent street protests - led by his rival - in which around 100 civilians died.
The former disc jockey, 34, who spent nearly two years as Antananarivo mayor, is Africa's youngest president. Mr Rajoelina, who spent nearly two years as Antananarivo mayor, is Africa's youngest president.
Still six years too young to be president under the current constitution, he has promised new elections within two years after a new charter is adopted, but this has failed to satisfy donors.Still six years too young to be president under the current constitution, he has promised new elections within two years after a new charter is adopted, but this has failed to satisfy donors.