At least 1,000 anti-government demonstrators marched on Thursday through Madagascar's capital, where police fired tear gas to try and disperse the latest youth-led protest of the past two weeks.

The fresh rally came after the Gen Z movement called for a general strike and rejected President Andry Rajoelina's attempts to defuse the tensions rocking the Indian Ocean island.

The president has appointed a new prime minister and called for dialogue.

Security forces charged at protesters with armoured vehicles, firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds that gathered on Thursday near Lake Anosy and started marching towards the Ambohijatovo Gardens, AFP reporters saw.

The gardens in the city centre have been dubbed Democracy Square.

Groups of mostly young demonstrators, some w

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