Soldiers and security forces joined hundreds celebrating in Madagascar's capital Monday, with the whereabouts of President Andry Rajoelina unknown hours before he was due to address the nation following weeks of protests and growing calls for his resignation.

Rajoelina has not appeared in public since last Wednesday, fuelling speculation among demonstrators that he may have fled the country.

He is believed to have fled aboard a French military plane, according to Radio France Internationale. French officials did not immediately respond to AFP's request for confirmation.

The former mayor of Antananarivo was due speak to the nation at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT), but it was delayed by an hour and half after "a group of armed forces threatened to take control of the state-owned media," the presiden

See Full Page