A colonel in an elite military unit in Madagascar says the armed forces are taking power in the eastern African nation.

His announcement came almost immediately after parliament voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina, who has fled the country because of the rebellion by soldiers.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina said in front of reporters that the military would form a council composed of officers from the army and the gendarmerie law enforcement force.

A prime minister would be appointed to "quickly" form a civilian government, he said.

It appeared to spell the end of Mr Rajoelina's seven years as leader of the country.

It came after Mr Rajoelina moved to dissolve the lower house of parliament on Tuesday, local time, deepening the political crisis in the Indian Ocean island nation a

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