President Andry Rajoelina ratcheted up tensions in Madagascar Tuesday by dissolving the National Assembly to block a vote to force him out of office as thousands gathered for new protests calling for his resignation.

Civil servants and trade unionists joined the large crowd in the capital in a fresh demonstration against Rajoelina after he made clear in an address from hiding late Monday that he did not intend to bow to demands that he quit.

The protests reached a pivotal point at the weekend when mutinous soldiers and security forces joined the demonstrators and called for the president and other government ministers to step down.

Youth-led protests have rocked the Indian Ocean island since September 25, ignited by anger over power and water shortages and developing into demonstrations

See Full Page