Madagascar president quits

The beleaguered president of Madagascar quit and handed over power to the military today.

In a radio address President Marc Ravalomanana said he was stepping down and a military directorate would take over.

Earlier he had gone into hiding surrounded by supporters after dozens of soldiers seized an unoccupied presidential palace.

Many in the capital expected opposition leader Andry Rajoelina to set up a base in the palace, where the soldiers pushed through the gates in an armoured vehicle last night, meeting no resistance.

Mr Rajoelina accuses Mr Ravalomanana of misusing public funds and undermining democracy. Mr Rajoelina declared himself president of a transitional government over the weekend and promised new presidential elections within two years. Yesterday he called on the army to arrest the president, but soldiers have not moved on him.

The president claims that Mr Rajoelina is seeking power by unconstitutional means.

The breakaway army faction that took over the palace has not explicitly backed a side but the split in the military greatly weakened the president.

Tensions have been rising since late January, when the government blocked an opposition radio station’s signal. Rajoelina supporters set fire to a building in the government broadcasting complex as well as an oil depot, a shopping mall and a private TV station linked to Mr Ravalomanana. Scores of people were killed.