Earlier opposition leader Andry Rajoelina called for the arrest of the president and won public backing from the armed forces' self-declared head.

The African Union has condemned the "attempted coup d'etat" and called on Madagascar to respect its constitution, according to the BBC.
 
The fierce power struggle on the Indian Ocean island has triggered a military mutiny, looting and violent protests that have left at least 100 people dead since January.

Earlier on Monday, the embattled president again proposed a referendum to resolve the seven-week political crisis.
Ravalomanana, who was re-elected for a second term in office in 2006, has previously said he wants to remain in office until his mandate expires in 2011.

But the opposition leader rejected Ravalomanana's plebiscite plan and called for the security forces to arrest him.
Rajoelina said: "The people are thirsty for change and that's why we won't have a referendum and will put our transitional government in place."