President Andry Rajoelina had said he would crush any rebellion but so far no action has been taken against the dissidents. Some political analysts have warned that a bloody confrontation could permanently split the military.

"We ask families living in the Ivato camp and residents of the surrounding area to temporarily leave the area for a safer place," AFP news agency quotes the defence ministry statement broadcast on national TV and radio as saying.

"Something is not quite right. We must avoid a confrontation so brothers in arms don't kill each other. The negotiations continue," Armed Forces Minister Lucien Rakotoarimasy told Reuters.

Local media said the army had set up a roadblock on the way to the BANI army camp in the Ivato area of the capital to check vehicles, although traffic was still moving. Local media also said schools nearby had been evacuated.

A member of the military police, who declined to be named, said one of its posts near the barracks had been reinforced and six trucks of soldiers where now in position.