Army threatens military rule unless politicans reach accord

Madagascar's army has called on the country's feuding political leaders to resolve their disputes within 72 hours, or face intervention from the military. Edmond Rasolomahandry, the army's chief of staff, urged political groups and leaders across Madagascan society, as well as foreign envoys, to work for a solution to Madagascar's three-month long political crisis on Tuesday. "We implore all political players, civil society organisations and other parties to reunite immediately and to find a solution," he said. "If no solution is found within this time, we, the armed forces, will fulfil our responsibilities in the greater interests of the nation," said the army chief, without elaborating. More than 100 people have been killed, the majority at the hands of the security forces, in a wave of opposition protests against the rule of Marc Ravalomanana, Madagascar's president, since the start of the year.