ANTANANARIVO, June 17: At least one soldier was killed in fighting between rival forces in northwestern Madagascar at the weekend, witnesses and military sources said Monday as clashes continued in the Indian Ocean island.

The fighting came as President Marc Ravalomananana dissolved his government as part of a bid to end the six-month-old political crisis that has brought the country to the brink of ruin.

Troops loyal to Ravalomanana heading for the northern port city and arsenal of Antsiranana engaged those of former long-time ruler Didier Ratsiraka in Ambanja, 900 kilometers northwest of the capital Antananarivo.

The fighting started Saturday, when Ravalomanana’s forces set off from Antsohihy, 200 kilometers south of Ambanja, to march on Antsiranana, capital of the province of the same name.—AFP