In Brief: Madagascar security forces regain control of ministry buildings

Photo: Flickr/r1_lita's

Protest aftermath in Antananarivo

JOHANNESBURG, 20 February 2009 (IRIN) - If only for a brief moment, groups loyal to Madagascar’s opposition leader, Andry Rajoelina, seized control of four ministry buildings before security forces evicted them.

Various news reports suggested security forces had initially allowed supporters of the former Mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, to enter the interior, security, education and planning ministries and install their own "ministers" on Thursday 19 February.

But according to a televised statement by Madagascar's internal security minister, Desire Rasolofomanana, security forces regained control of the buildings early on Friday 20 February. Some 50 people were reportedly arrested and no one was hurt.

For more on the ongoing political conflict see:
MADAGASCAR: No end in sight to standoff
MADAGASCAR: Deconstructing a crisis

tdm/oa