Ravalomanana has handed power over to the military

Madagascar's army-backed opposition has taken control of the country's seat of power. A presidential aide confirmed to the press that embattled President Marc Ravalomanana has handed power to a military board. Madagascar’s beleaguered President Marc Ravolamanana yielded power on Tuesday. Diplomatic sources told AFP that power had been passed over to a “military board”, while the president’s spokesperson Andry Ralijaona said power had been handed over to navy admiral Hyppolite Ramaroson. He added that Ravalomanana had left the presidential palace in the outskirts of Antananarivo for an undisclosed location. Officials from the opposition declared their leader Andry Rajoelina to be the head of the transitional authority. Opposition officials, speaking at a ceremony when Rajoelina entered outgoing leader Marc Ravalomanana's offices, said elections would be organised within 24 months and the constitution would be re-written to create a "Fourth Republic." “It is possible that the military will hand over power to the opposition’s 'higher transition authority'.