Madagascar’s president says illegal power grab by military is under way

Soldiers from elite Capsat unit have announced they are taking over after weeks of youth-led protests

Madagascar's president said an attempt to seize power illegally and by force" was under way, as an elite military unit that joined protesters on the streets on Saturday announced it was taking over the army.

The Capsat unit's intervention comes after weeks of youth-led protests, which started on 25 September against water and electricity shortages and expanded to calling for the resignation of the president, Andry Rajoelina, an end to corruption and radical overhaul of the political system.