Madagascar Authorities Hold Talks With Rebels

Madagascar Authorities Hold Talks With Rebels

Madagascar 's Army Chief, General Andre Ndriarijoana has held talks with a group of rebel military officers, who had threatened two days earlier to topple the government and set up a ruling military council.

Ndriarijoana met the dissident officers in their barracks near the international airport on Friday for about two hours for discussions. He left the venue without making a statement.

Talks to continue

Armed Forces Minister, Lucien Rakotoarimasy said that the talks were continuing even though the general had left the camp. A rebel officer inside the barracks confirmed this.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Andry Rajoelina's government said that it would crush any rebellion but so far no action has been taken against the dissidents.

Some political analysts have warned that a confrontation could permanently split the military.

Political analysts have said that the unrest in the world's fourth largest island underscores the depth of internal divisions plaguing the army since Rajoelina drove former leader Marc Ravalomanana into exile last year.

They said that the coup plotters may have overestimated their support among the military, but there was still a risk that Ravalomanana and other former presidents opposed to Rajoelina could foment wider unrest.

Unrest halts activities

Minister Rakotoarimasy had earlier on Friday warned civilians in the dissidents' camp and nearby residents to leave the area. Schools near the barracks on the outskirts of the capital have also been evacuated.

The unrest on Wednesday coincided with a referendum on a new draft constitution that would lower the minimum age for a president to 35 , allowing Rajoelina to stay in office until elections slated for May 4, 2011 and to run again.

Former president, Albert Zafy, had on Thursday, supported the rebels and called on the 36 -year-old Rajoelina to quit office.

Rajoelina, a former disc jockey, has dismissed the rebels as an irrelevant minority. But his failure to deliver on populist pledges has eroded his popularity.

REUTERS/Williams/Yinka