Ministers' homes looted in Madagascar

Bridges leading to the capital have been blown up

One person has been killed and around 10 wounded after a shooting incident in the Madagascar capital, Antananarivo, according to reports.

Troops loyal to incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka fired at demonstrators, said a senior official in the rival government of Marc Ravalomanana.

They have looted my house. This is not democracy

Aide to Didier Ratsiraka

Mr Ravalomanana says that he won last December's elections outright but Mr Ratsiraka says a run-off should be held to decide who should be the next president.

Since January, the Indian Ocean island has been split down the middle, with two governments, two capitals and a divided army.

The shooting occurred on Monday afternoon outside the home of Gerard Andrialemirovason, director of the office of President Ratsiraka, reports the French news agency, AFP.

Power-base

A group of Ravalomanana supporters marched to his house and were shot at by some of the 50 soldiers on guard, General Ferdinand Razakarimanana, "governor" of Antananarivo under Mr Ravalomanana's alternative administration, told AFP.

On Sunday and Monday, houses belonging to several Ratsiraka officials were looted and set on fire in Antananarivo, which is Mr Ravalomanana's power-base.

The BBC's Johnny Donovan in Antananarivo says that troops were sent to the area after the demonstrators had set fire to the house and cars outside.

Our correspondent says that at least 10 people were injured in the ensuing panic.

One demonstrator died of his injuries, a doctor at a private clinic told AFP.

This outbreak of shooting follows a fiery speech by Mr Ravalomanana last Friday in which he called on his supporters to hunt down "terrorists".

Blockade

However, his aides deny responsibility for the violence and accuse supporters of Mr Ratsiraka of provoking the clashes.

But a senior aide to Mr Ratsiraka was incredibly angry.

Ravalomanana called his rivals 'terrorists'

"They have threatened my family, they have looted my house. This is not democracy," he told our correspondent.

Supporters of Mr Ratsiraka based in their alternative capital of Tamatave have imposed an economic blockade on the capital and destroyed bridges along the main road.

This has led to shortages of fuel and essential commodities in Antananarivo.