Antananarivo- Around 30,000 people on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar took part in a peaceful demonstration against the government of President Marc Ravalomanana on Saturday.

The rally was organized by Andre Rajoelina, the mayor of the capital Antananarivo. Heavily armed security forces were deployed at the start but later withdrawn.

Madagascar has been the scene of recent daily protests and unrest, in which more than 100 have killed and many injured.

Rajoelina and the opposition is accusing Ravalomanana of sliding into authoritarianism and of being out of touch with the plight of ordinary people.

Rajoelina has called for the establishment of a transitional government under his leadership. (dpa)