ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, March 13 (UPI) -- A spokesman for mutinous Madagascar military forces said Friday his military group is in control of the army's tanks in the capital of Antananarivo.
Col. Noel Rakotonandrasana said his group of mutinous soldiers deployed the tanks to an Antananarivo barracks, but stated the rebel group has no plans to attack the presidential palace, the Voice of America said.
The military mutiny comes amid a conflict between President Marc Ravalomanana and former Antananarivo Mayor Andry Rajoelina, now Madagascar's main opposition official.
Ravalomanana asked in a TV broadcast that military forces remain neutral in regards to the political conflict.
The country's military has been divided by weeks of conflicts and demonstrations throughout Madagascar. Those incidents have resulted in more than 100 deaths to date.
The mutinous members of the military have called for Ravalomanana's resignation, saying they will not kill Madagascar nationals in such conflicts, the Voice of America reported.
