Peacekeepers pull out as tanks storm Madagascar palace

Soldiers have taken over one of the presidential palaces in Madagascar's capital as the turmoil over whether the president stays in office intensified.The soldiers drove two tanks through the gates of the ceremonial palace in the city centre, then set off two explosions and fired scattered shots.They claimed, the Press Association news wire reported, that they were part of Madagascar's "new" army, an apparent reference to a faction that has rejected president Marc Ravalomanana.

President Marc Ravalomanana was in another palace in the capital, Antananarivo, yesterday, when it happened.An eyewitness who blogs from Madagascar, Stefan Armananarivo, told CNN news channel he saw two tanks outside the presidential and saw the army shoot at people in the crowd who were protecting the building. Some supporters of the president had lined up to try to block the army from taking over the palace. Explosions and gunshots had been heard at the palace, according to an employee at the US embassy in Antananarivo. The violence came as the African Union held an emergency meeting to discuss the power struggle gripping Madagascar.

Ravalomanana pledged on Sunday that he would stay in office despite fierce opposition, and urged the country's military not to intervene. "I am aware of the feelings of anxiety that you feel in the face of intentions to seize power by force," Ravalomanana told a crowd gathered at the president's palace Sunday, said a statement issued by his office. He pledged to "remain faithful to the people and never leave her alone." The president said he would organize a referendum if that would help solve the crisis.The statement from Ravalomanana's office quoted him as saying, "If we have to go through a referendum, I have nothing to fear even if this occurs."

The president's government has been at odds with opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, who recently was ousted from his position as mayor of Antananarivo. Rajoelina has called on Ravalomanana to quit.Poverty has been a major issue in Madagascar, boosting Rajoelina's appeal to a segment of the population angered by the behavior of Ravalomanana, including his recent purchase of a private jet. Peacekeepers said last night they were suspending work in the country and evacuating its workers because of security concerns amid political unrest. The Peace Corps said it is pulling 112 volunteers out of the country because it can no longer assure their safety as the situation deteriorates, the Associated Press news agency reported.

By Hayley Jarvis for SOS Children