Former opposition leader becomes Madagascar's president

After two months of political turmoil, former opposition leader Andry Rajoelina was inaugurated in front of thousands of supporters Saturday as Madagascar's president, eyewitnesses said.The event, which took place at a soccer stadium in the capital city of Antananarivo, was broadcast on national television. The country's political crisis ended earlier this week, after then-President Marc Ravalomanana ceded power to the military, which handed over government control to Rajoelina, the former mayor of Antananarivo. Rajoelina declared himself president of a transitional government, and was confirmed by Madagascar's high court. The country was plunged into political instability in January after thousands of people took to the streets to protest rising food prices and what they perceived as autocratic behavior by Ravalomanana. The protests soon degenerated into rioting and looting, leaving about 100 people dead.