Rival PM installed in Madagascar

Ravalomanana's control of the capital is complete

Supporters of Madagascar's self-declared president, Marc Ravalomanana, have installed a new prime minister in the capital after a tense stand-off with troops loyal to the incumbent president.

Jacques Sylla, proclaimed as the head of the new rival government, is a lawyer who comes from the eastern port of Tamatave in the political heartland of President Didier Ratsiraka.

Ravalomanana became "president" last month

Troops, armed and firing tear gas, tried in vain to hold back the stone-throwing crowds who had surrounded the building. One soldier is reported to have been injured.

The prime minister's office had been declared a "red zone" by army officers loyal to President Ratsiraka, and was the last building in Antananarivo still under their control.

Mr Sylla served in the administration of President Albert Zafy in the early 1990s

Army 'changes'

Mr Ravalomanana declared himself president last month.

On Thursday, his administration announced that it had "replaced" the army chief of staff, the head of the national police force and the secretary general at the Defence Ministry.

Mr Ravalomanana appointed General Jules Mamizara as his defence minister.

The current army chief of staff, General Ismael Mounibou, does not recognise the changes, and is refusing to leave office.

Demonstrators attacked

Madagascar's security forces shot dead several demonstrators opposed to President Ratsiraka on Thursday, and injured several more.

The deaths occurred when violence broke out for a second time in Tamatave.

The violence marked a sharp upturn in unrest after weeks of largely peaceful protests demanding Mr Ratsiraka's resignation.

Police have yet to confirm the shootings.

Two days earlier, four suspected looters were killed by police in Tamatave.

In the capital, life has been returning to normal, with people now back at work and children at school.

But the BBC correspondent in the island says the city is still suffering from an economic stranglehold as a result of the blockade imposed by Mr Ratsiraka's supporters.