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Madagascar rebels deploy tanks in capital
 Dissident soldiers deployed tanks in Madagascar's capital on Friday and said they would use them to fight any mercenaries hired in a power struggle that has killed 135 people on the Indian Ocean island. The troops have broken away from the traditionally neutral security forces, saying they wanted to bring order to a country torn by a stand-off between President Marc Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina. In the worst civil unrest for years, it is unclear who controls the government or military and the crisis is crippling the country's $390 million-a-year tourism industry. Many in the opposition fear the president will bring in mercenaries to defend his hold on power despite the mutineers denying that they are taking orders from Rajoelina. Posted by: Fred 2009-03-14 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=264950 |