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Key island bridge blown up
22/05/2002 13:23 - (SA)
Antananarivo - Another bridge on a key artery in Madagascar has been blown up, says an army officer loyal to disputed President Marc Ravalomanana, blaming the sabotage on the presidential rivals in a bitter power struggle.
The bridge, 200km from Antananarivo on a
road to the northwestern port of Mahajanga, was totally destroyed
in an explosion on Monday night, said the officer.
Half a dozen bridges have been destroyed in Madagascar in recent weeks.
The officer added that supporters of Didier Ratsiraka, who
insists he is still president, despite a court last month declaring Ravalomanana as the head of state, destroyed the bridge to delay the advance of Ravalomanana's troops.
Ravalomanana's newly appointed defence minister, Jules
Mamizara, on Friday warned that the government would use military
force to dismantle the blockade of the capital if Ratsiraka's
backers did not take it down within a week.
A key roadblock lies further up the road to Mahajanga, on the
Betsiboka River. It is considered a prime target of any eventual
military action.
"They blew up the bridge because they fear an imminent attack," said the officer.
About 50 soldiers loyal to Ratsiraka are posted at the
roadblock, the only one blocking access to Mahajanga. - Sapa-AFP
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