Gun battle reported in Madagascar's capital

At least one civilian has been injured after a gun battle broke out between rival security forces in Madagascar on Thursday morning. French news agency Afp said clashes in the capital Antananarivo began when army and gendarmerie units confronted members of the gendarmerie's elite intervention unit (Fign).

RFI/L Mouaoued

The Fign began a protest against their superiors on Wednesday.

"We are currently securing the area because there were rumours they [the mutineers] would take to the streets," Colonel Richard Ravalomanana told Afp.

"We never meant to attack but they started opening fire on us. We only retaliated for half an hour when we decided to move towards their base.

"We're moving slowly - we have to be wary of collateral damage."

The Indian Ocean island has been unstable since a March 2009 coup led by Andry Rajoelina, who ousted president Marc Ravalomanana with the army's support.