Madagascar's president has handed over power to the military after months of pressure from the opposition."After deep reflection, I have decided to dissolve the government and give up power so that a military directorate can be established,'' Marc Ravalomanana said in a radio address on Sunday.
"This decision was very difficult and very hard, but it had to be made. We need calm and peace to develop our country."
Ravalomanana had earlier vowed to fight to the death after the military seized his offices in the capital Antananarivo on Monday.
Hyppolite Ramaroson, a navy admiral and the most senior military official, was to lead the country as part of a directorate made up of high-ranking military officers, presidential aides said.
The Madagascan military is split between these who are loyal to the president and those who support Andry Rajoelina, the opposition leader.After the transfer of power, the opposition said that Rajoelina would lead a "transitional authority" and would organise presidential and general elections in the next 24 months.
It was not immediately clear how the military leadership would react to the opposition's announcement.
Courtesy: Al Jazeera nd Reuters
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