Members of a Madagascar military unit open the gates of the presidential palace in Antananarivo. Photograph: Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images
A colonel in an elite military unit in Madagascar said the armed forces are taking power in the Indian Ocean nation.
His announcement came almost immediately after parliament voted to impeach president Andry Rajoelina, who has fled the country because of the rebellion by soldiers.
Col Michael Randrianirina said in front of reporters that the military would form a council composed of officers from the army and the gendarmerie law enforcement force.
A prime minister would be appointed to “quickly” form a civilian government, he said.
It appeared to spell the end of Mr Rajoelina’s seven years as leader of the country.
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