Madagascar's new leader insisted Thursday that a military power grab after the army joined weeks of demonstrations was "not a coup", as ousted President Andry Rajoelina confirmed he had fled the country days earlier.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina from the mutinied CAPSAT military contingent has faced international criticism after the army announced Tuesday it had taken power moments after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina.

Randrianirina is set to be sworn in on Friday as transitional president and has promised elections within two years and a civilian government.

"A coup is when soldiers enter the presidential palace with weapons, they shoot, there is bloodshed... This is not a coup," Randrianirina told journalists.

The approval of the country's top court on Tuesday of his appointm

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