EXTRA: Reports of shots outside Madagascar presidential palace

Reports of shots outside Madagascar presidential palace Antananarivo - Firing was heard coming from the palace of Madagascar's embattled President Marc Ravalomanana Monday evening following a threat by mutinous soldiers to break through barricades erected by the president's supporters.

Around 1,000 people have rallied round the president after the opposition at the weekend took over government buildings and announced the establishment of an interim two-year government.

The president fears an attack on the palace, which is located 14 kilometres south of the capital Antananarivo.

Residents of the area reported hearing several blasts.

In central Antananarivo, soldiers in two armoured vehicles from the city's Capsat barracks, the country's largest where a week-old mutiny began, occupied the president's city-centre offices. No presidential staff was thought to be there at the time and there was no report of fighting.

The presidential offices sit next to the central bank.

Three or four blasts already rocked the area in the early hours of Monday morning.

No one was injured in the explosions, which were reportedly caused by mortar fire from the military trying to break the barricade on a national road.

The army is refusing the president's orders but had ruled out using force to topple him, saying it would not take part in his power struggle with opposition leader, Andry Rajoelina.

Rajoelina is demanding that the president, whom he accuses of authoritarianism, step down. Ravalomanana has rejected his demands.

Their seven-week standoff has cost over 100 lives. (dpa)

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