Madagascar opposition leader Andry Rajoelina takes power after ousting president Madagascar's military chiefs handed power to the opposition leader Andry Rajoelina on Tuesday, completing the former disc-jockey's ousting of President Marc Ravalomanana after weeks of political violence on the Indian Ocean island.
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NEWS GENERIC ST_UIP
By Sebastien Berger Southern Africa Correspondent
Last Updated: 9:59AM GMT 18 Mar 2009
Mr Ravalomanana's decision to step down came a day after mutinous soldiers, equipped with tanks, stormed his offices in the capital Antananarivo and after he offered to hold a referendum on his rule, a move rejected by Mr Rajoelina.
Mr Rajoelina, 34, the mayor of Antananarivo, was put in charge of the impoverished island when military leaders rejected the president's attempt to pass control of the nation to the armed forces. They described it as an 11th-hour "ploy" by the president to leave power in the hands of his military allies.
Video
NEWS GENERIC ST_UIP
By Sebastien Berger Southern Africa Correspondent
Last Updated: 9:59AM GMT 18 Mar 2009
Mr Ravalomanana's decision to step down came a day after mutinous soldiers, equipped with tanks, stormed his offices in the capital Antananarivo and after he offered to hold a referendum on his rule, a move rejected by Mr Rajoelina.
Mr Rajoelina, 34, the mayor of Antananarivo, was put in charge of the impoverished island when military leaders rejected the president's attempt to pass control of the nation to the armed forces. They described it as an 11th-hour "ploy" by the president to leave power in the hands of his military allies.