Madagascar Army Storms President's Office

Soldiers entered the compound after one of them, using a loudspeaker, ordered all persons still inside to leave.

Two large explosions were heard shortly before 1600 GMT and armoured vehicles smashed the compound's main gate, as a spotlight swept the building.

Ravalomanana himself was not in the compound but holed up in the presidential palace located 12 kilometres (eight miles) outside the city.

Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina called earlier Monday on the security forces to arrest the president, after claiming at the weekend that the army now answered to him.

The opposition leader, a 34-year-old former disc jockey, says the president is a tyrant who misspends public money.

But Mr Ravalomanana's supporters say his rival is a young troublemaker who has not offered any policy alternatives.

Under President Ravalomanana, Madagascar's economy has opened up to foreign investment, particularly in the mining sector.

But 70% of the 20 million population still lives on less than $2 (£1.40) a day and correspondents say the opposition has tapped into popular frustration at the failure of this new wealth to trickle down.