Up to 25 people have been killed in protests in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, against President Marc Ravalomanana's government.
Critics have accused the president's government of tightening its grip on power.
The president, who has galvanised Madagascar's reputation as a safe-haven for tourists, has denied ruling the world's fourth largest island as a dictatorship and has called for dialogue.
Madagascar has opened its doors to major foreign companies which are exploring for oil, gold, cobalt, nickel and uranium.
