Madagascar President hands power to military

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-18-2009 09:06

Madagascar's president Marc Ravalomanana has resigned, handing power to the military.

But the military has appointed opposition leader Andry Rajoelina as president of a transition government, after weeks of violent street protests by his followers.

Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana gives a speech in Antananarivo on March 15, 2009. (AFP/File/Alexander Joe)

Tanks and scores of soldiers guarded the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.

Weeks of opposition protests and turmoil on the Indian Ocean island have killed 135 people, crippled tourism and scared foreign investors in the mining and oil exploration sectors.

Antananarivo Resident, said, "The country is like in a war now, this has never happened in Madagascar, the population is very anxious."