Antananarivo, Saturday March 2

Residents of Madagascar's capital have defied martial law to show support for self-proclaimed president Marc Ravalomanana. Tens of thousands of people gathered in Antananarivo's main square (Saturday) to see Mr. Ravalomanana's prime minister, Jacques Sylla, present what he calls his government. Mr. Ravalomanana, who named the ministers Friday, did not attend the ceremony.

Opposition rallies have continued in defiance of the martial law proclaimed Thursday by internationally-recognized President Didier Ratsiraka. The military governor of Antananarivo said Saturday the armed forces have not tried to enforce the president's order so far because the people have no knowledge of the martial law decision. He said the flow of information has been impeded because radio and television have been off the air this week.

Mr. Ravalomanana, the capital's mayor, declared himself head of state February 22. The opposition leader says he beat Mr. Ratsiraka in the December presidential election and refuses to take part in a runoff scheduled for March 24.

However, the country's supreme court says Mr. Ravalomanana did not receive the 50 percent needed to win and insists the runoff must be held.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.

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