Thousands of opposition supporters have swarmed government ministries in Madagascar to install the government of self-proclaimed president Marc Ravalomanana.

Members of Mr. Ravalomanana's self-declared cabinet entered the ministries Monday as army troops guarding the buildings stood by and did not intervene.

No violence is reported, but it is not clear if Mr. Ravalomanana's alternative cabinet has effectively taken office or whether its installation was symbolic only.

In an interview with VOA, the opposition appointed prime minister Jacques Sylla said the alternative government is going to act as if recognized by the whole world. He said the army is not implementing martial law declared by incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka last week.

Mr. Ravalomanana has refused to take part in a run-off presidential election against Mr. Ratsiraka. The opposition leader says he won the December 16 first round election outright, but was denied victory by fraud.

Mr. Ravalomanana has mobilized his supporters since January in massive, almost daily, protests, and also called a general strike that has crippled Madagascar's economy.

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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