A keenly awaited national address by Madagascar's cornered President Andry Rajoelina, who went missing as calls grew for his resignation, was delayed twice Monday as a group of armed forces tried to take control of the state-owned media.

Rajoelina has not appeared in public since Wednesday, fuelling speculation he may have fled the Indian Ocean nation rocked by more than two weeks of anti-government protests.

The protests initially focused on chronic power and water cuts in the impoverished country but developed into a broader anti-government movement that called for Rajoelina to resign.

Radio France Internationale said he left Madagascar on a French military plane at the weekend but French officials did not immediately respond to AFP's request for confirmation.

French President Emmanu

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