Madagascan opposition leader claims army support

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-15-2009 19:40

In Madagascar, opposition leader Andry Rajoelina claims he now has the army's backing and is urging President Marc Ravalo-manana to step down.

Madagascar's opposition leader Andry Rajoelina (L) greets  his supporters with Monja Roindefo, the man he named prime  minister, during a rally in Antananarivo March 14, 2009.  Rajoelina told thousands of his supporters in the capital on Saturday he was giving President Marc Ravalomanana four hours to resign. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (MADAGASCAR  POLITICS CONFLICT)

The president has refused to quit and defied the latest ultimatum delivered by the opposition on Saturday. Madagascar's army has traditionally remained neutral and there has been no independent verification of Rajoelina's claims he has military support.

Earlier, opposition members seized control of the prime minister's office, and declared they had assumed the powers of the presidency. Unrest and instability in Madagascar has killed more than 130 people so far this year.

Editor:Xiong Qu