The office of Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has said an attempt to seize power illegally and by force is under way in the country, BBC reported.

Hours later, an army unit known as CAPSAT claimed that it had taken over the leadership of the military command, and was now in control of all the armed forces - land, air, and naval.

This is the same unit that played a crucial role in the 2009 Malagasy political crisis, which helped Rajoelina rise to power.

Madagascar was first hit by youth-led protests on 25 September against water and power cuts, but they have escalated to reflect wider dissatisfaction with Rajoelina's government over high unemployment, corruption, and the cost-of-living crisis, according to BBC.