Madagascar 'coup general' caught

A Malagasy army general wanted over a coup attempt just before elections last month has been arrested, authorities on the Indian Ocean island have said.
The officer, known as General Fidy, took control of a military base in November and called on the army to remove President Marc Ravalomanana.

The general, who went on the run after a gun battle, was arrested at a hotel, says a government minister.

Results show that Mr Ravalomanana was re-elected with 54.8% of the vote.

The general had attempted to run as a candidate in the presidential election, but his candidature was refused.

"Gen Fidy was arrested on Tuesday afternoon in hotel in Ankadifotsy. He did not put up any resistance," Secretary of State for Public Security Lucien Victor Razakanirina said.

The election results announced by the interior ministry over the weekend have to be confirmed by the Constitutional High Court.

In the last poll, in 2001, the island nation was pushed to the brink of civil war after then-incumbent Didier Ratsiraka refused to accept defeat.



Source: BBC News, 12/13/2006