Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina said in his first statement broadcast on social media after part of the army joined the anti-government protesters over the weekend that he is in a "safe place" after an "assassination attempt", without giving further details about his whereabouts, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
"There is only one way out to solve these problems, namely to respect the current constitution of the country", he said, rejecting protesters' calls for his resignation.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed deep concern about the situation in Madagascar this evening, without confirming information on RFI radio, according to which Malagasy President Rajoelina had boarded a French military plane.
"Today I cannot confirm anything", the French leader said from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, where he is participating in a summit on the peace agreement in Gaza. "I want to express my deep concern and to testify to France's friendly feelings towards the Malagasy people," Macron added.