Antananarivo  - Security forces in Madagascar's capital were engaged in a tense standoff Thursday for the fourth day running with upwards of 25,000 opposition supporters demanding the ousting of President Marc Ravalomanana's government.

The supporters of Andry Rajoelina, former mayor of the capital Antananarivo, made their way through the city towards government buildings to try to install an interim government of Rajoelina's choosing.

Around 400 heavily-armed police and soldiers were barring their access to the restricted zone around the ministries.

Antananarivo - Security forces in Madagascar's capital were engaged in a tense standoff Thursday for the fourth day running with tens of thousands of opposition supporters demanding the ousting of President Marc Ravalomanana's government.

The supporters of Andry Rajoelina, former mayor of the capital Antananarivo, made their way through the city towards government buildings to try to install an interim government of Rajoelina's choosing.

Around 400 heavily-armed police and soldiers were barring their access to the restricted zone around the ministries.

Antananarivo - Security forces in Madagascar fired warning shots and tear gas on Monday to repulse a crowd of stone-throwing opposition protestors who gathered near government buildings to press for the installation of a new administration

The standoff took place near the central May 13 square in the capital Antananarivo, when around 10,000 people answered a call by self-proclaimed national leader Andry Rajoelina to usher in his "ministers."

Rajoelina on Monday presented two new ministers to his line-up of 12 ministers, which he says should replace President Marc Ravalomanana's elected government.

Antananarivo - Amid the power struggle on Madagascar, some 50,000 people staged a demonstration Wednesday to support embattled President Marc Ravalomanana.

The demonstration, held in a stadium in the capital, was peaceful as of noon, and took place despite efforts by rival politician Andry Rajoelina to prevent it.

Rajoelina's backers had urged people to stay at home and bring public life to a standstill.

Antananarivo  - Madagascan troops opened fire Saturday on an anti-government demonstration in the capital, killing 40 protestors and injuring 300 in a bloodbath escalation of political tensions on the tropical island, local media reports said.

Among the dead were reportedly two TV journalists, including a foreign correspondent - but there was no immediate official confirmation of the death toll.

Antananarivo - Madagascan troops have opened fire on an anti-government demonstration in the capital, killing 40 protestors and injuring 300 more, according to local media reports on Saturday.

Among the dead are thought to be two TV journalists, including a foreign correspondent.

There was no immediate official confirmation of the death toll.

Soldiers fired on the demonstration on the tropical island off south-eastern Africa on Saturday afternoon, as protestors apparently tried to storm the presidential palace.