Madagascar's armed forces minister said that he refuses to leave his office, a day after the Indian Ocean island's military-backed leader fired him on rumors of a coup, according to AP. Gen. Noel Rakotonandrasana, who aided the former disc jockey seize power last year, said in a press conference Thursday that he had no plans to stage a coup, and would not leave his position. Andry Rajoelina overthrew Marc Ravalomanana in March 2009 after weeks of protests left dozens of people dead. African countries denounced Rajoelina's takeover and suspended the country from the African Union. The African Union imposed sanctions in March of this year on Madagascar after Rajoelina failed to implement a power-sharing deal prompted by last year's coup.
