Didier Ratsiraka VOA photo - C. McDonough

Madagascar's President Didier Ratsiraka has declared martial law to restore order in the capital, Antananarivo - as the political crisis deepens in the African island nation.

President Ratsiraka told reporters Thursday he has appointed a military governor to deal with the crisis in the capital. Mr. Ratsiraka said the military would be responsible for restoring peace and allowing adults to return to work and children to return to school.

On Wednesday, pro-government demonstrators and opposition supporters clashed in Antananarivo over the results of December's presidential election. The government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Wednesday in the capital in response to the unrest, but few people paid attention to the curfew and it was not enforced.

More than 10 people were injured in Wednesday's clashes, but there are conflicting reports on whether anyone died. Madagascar has been gripped by weeks of opposition protests and a crippling general strike since the first round of presidential elections on December 16.

Opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana says he won the election outright and is refusing to take part in a run-off against President Ratsiraka scheduled for March 24. Last week, Mr. Ravalomanana proclaimed himself president and the government responded by declaring a state of emergency. The international community has appealed to Mr. Ravalomanana to take part in the run-off.

In Washington, the State Department has warned U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Madagascar to avoid the downtown area of the capital and to limit their movements within the city. Also Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council called on both sides in Madagascar's crisis to seek a political solution within the legal process.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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