Meanwhile, sections of the army loyal to the current administration have been trying to round up opposition figures.

 

Whether or not the new ministers can actually work effectively remains to be seen and the current administration has dismissed the announcement as childish.

 

However, the move is likely to increase tensions in the increasingly bloody political standoff, according to the BBC.

 

According to the spokesman for Ravalomanana's prime minister, civil servants and, perhaps more significantly, high-ranking members of the armed forces are prepared to work with them.

 

Meanwhile, the bloodshed continues. A young man was very seriously injured on Monday evening after a package he had been given exploded.

 

Forces loyal to the transitional authorities have been continuing to try to arrest alleged political opponents and have also searched office blocks in the capital, apparently for money.

 

Whether or not they are acting on direct orders from the current administration remains unclear.