The leader of Madagascar's military coup, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, has announced he is "taking the position of president" in an interview with the media at his barracks.

Colonel Randrianirina, who led a rebellion by soldiers that ousted President Andry Rajoelina, told the Associated Press he expects to be sworn in as the Indian Ocean country's new leader in the next few days.

The military leader announced on Tuesday, local time, that the armed forces were taking power in Madagascar, capping weeks of protests against Mr Rajoelina and his government by mainly youth groups.

He said he was taking the role as head of state after the country's High Constitutional Court invited him to do so in the absence of Mr Rajoelina, who fled Madagascar following the uprising.

"There must be an oat

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