Madagascar: Jockeying Antagonists in Antananarivo

Amid a power struggle between Malagasy President Marc Ravalomanana and former Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina, rebel soldiers deployed tanks in the Madagascar capital March 13 to pre-empt a pro-government "mercenary" intervention, according to a rebel spokesman. Civic and diplomatic pressure will likely lead to a short-term truce between the two political antagonists, although the battle will likely resume as the strategic island nation nears a presidential election in December 2011.