Madagascar Prez Hands Country to Military

Troops stormed palace yesterday
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 17, 2009 9:06 AM CDT
Madagascar Prez Hands Country to Military
Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina parades through the streets of Antananarivo, Madagascar, today after taking control of the seat of power at the downtown presidential office.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Madagascar's president has handed over power to the nation's military, Reuters reports, following a months-long power struggle that culminated in a military raid on Marc Ravalomanana’s palace yesterday and the opposition's seizure of his offices today. "He came to the conclusion this is best for the country. He behaved as a statesman," said a presidential spokesman.

Ravalomanana himself announced the move in a radio address, but handed power to a Navy admiral, rather than opposition leader Andry Rajoelina. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, said Rajoelina would lead the country in the interim, but it's unclear whether the military will accept the 34-year-old former deejay.
(More Madagascar stories.)

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