Madagascar President Declares Martial Law

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 01, 2002

Madagascar President Declares Martial Law

Madagascar President Didier Ratsiraka declared Thursday afternoon that martial law will be enforced in the capital of Tananarive starting from March 1 Friday.

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Madagascar President Didier Ratsiraka declared Thursday afternoon that martial law will be enforced in the capital of Tananarive starting from March 1 Friday.

Ratsiraka made the declaration in a "statement to the nation". The incumbent president said he transfers "all powers of the President of the Republic" to the "military governor of the city of Tananarive" -- a temporary post he just created.

General Leon-Claude Raveloarison was nominated to this post, said Ratsiraka.

Ratsiraka made this announcement in response to Wednesday's riots and street violence between his supporters and those of opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana who declared himself president last Friday following unsettled disputes over results of the first round of presidential election held in December.

Ratsiraka had announced "state of national emergency" following Ravalomanana's self-proclamation. On Wednesday, the police ordered a curfew on the capital.

On Thursday morning, pro-Ravalomanana supporters launched a large-scale rally in the capital. The demonstration went on peacefully without military intervention.

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