Madagascar defence chief quits

[gelatik]

The armed forces minister in Madagascar's official government has resigned,
only hours after his ministry building was taken over by the new administration
of self-declared President, Marc Ravalomanana.

The head of incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka's negotiating team, Jose
Andrianoelisson, has said he now believes there is no government in Madagascar.


The official administration has lost control of the country and the new
parallel cabinet lacks the legal or democratic authority to assume power, he
said.

And amid the political crisis, an intense tropical cyclone is only hours away
from the Indian Ocean island.

The resignation of Armed Forces Minister General Marcel Ranjeva is an
indication of how President Ratsiraka's government has now totally lost power
in the capital Antananarivo to Mr Ravalomanana.