MADAGASCAR ARMY STORM PRESIDENCY

Madagascan troops have entered the presidential palace compound in the capital Antananarivo, witnesses say. Marc Ravalomanana, the president, was not in the building, which is largely used for ceremonial purposes, when soldiers smashed down the gates with armoured vehicles on Monday.
"Surrender, surrender, if you are there surrender, because we are brothers," a soldier shouted into a loudhailer as they forced their way in.
The army was also reportedly on its way to another palace about 6km from the city centre where Ravalomanana was believed to be sheltering.
Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa, reporting from Antananarivo, said that the situation in the capital was confused.
"They have civilians outside the gates to leave quietly so they don't get hurt," she said.
"People are trying to get home but there are problems as the roads are blocked ... Troops are on the streets, running towards the presidential palace."
The takeover of the presidential compound came just hours after Andry Rajoelina, the opposition leader, called on the security forces to arrest Ravalomanana, who he accuses of being a dictator and misusing public funds.

Rajoelina has already declared himself the Indian Ocean island's de facto leader, tapping into widespread public discontent, especially among Madagascar's poor.

Ravalomanana has offered to hold a referendum to end the crisis, but the Rajoelina said in a radio address broadcast that there was no need for a poll as the people had already made their opinions clear.The head of Madagascar's armed forces said on Monday they were 99 per cent behind Rajoelina."We are there for the Malagasy people. If Andry Rajoelina can resolve the problem, we are behind him," Colonel Andre Ndriarijaona, who led a mutiny last week and replaced the previous army chief of staff, said. "I would say 99 per cent of the forces are behind him."

Courtesy: Al Jazeera