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Madagascar President hands over power to military

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-17 23:16

ANTANANARIVO - Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana said he had resigned and handed over power to the military on Tuesday, according to reports of agencies.

Madagascar's opposition leader Andry Rajoelina (C) enters the presidential palace in Antananarivo March 17, 2009. [Agencies]

President Ravalomanana said in a radio address that he was stepping down and transferred the powers of the president to a military board.

Related readings:  Army storms Madagascan presidency Tanks on move in Madagascar's capital  Madagascan president rejects opposition demand to resign  Madagascan opposition fails to take over presidency  Chief of General-Staff of Madagascan Army changed

Some diplomats confirmed Ravalomanana's resignation, but there has been no reaction from the opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, reports said.

Ravalomanana's office issued a statement to confirm that he had transferred all his powers to a military authority.

The statement also said that a decree had been issued dissolving the government.

The current political crisis began in December when President Ravalomanana ordered to close Rajoelina's private radio and television station for its broadcasting of an interview with his predecessor Didier Ratsiraka, who has been living in exile in France since he was taken over by Ravalomanana in 2002.