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On Wednesday, Zambia called for the immediate suspension of Madagascar from the AU and Sadc. It came hours after Madagascar's highest court backed the handover of power to Mr Rajoelina.

Mr Rajoelina earlier axed a controversial deal for a South Korean firm to lease about half of Madagascar's arable land to grow food corn and palm oil. Widespread protests had already slowed down progress on the plan, which would have used some 1.3m hectares (3.2m acres). Some had said it amounted to "neo-colonialism". Mr Rajoelina told reporters: "In the constitution, it is stipulated that Madagascar's land is neither for sale nor for rent, so the agreement with Daewoo is cancelled."

Opposition to this plan was one of the reasons behind Mr Ravalomanana's loss of popular support.

In late January, Mr. Rajoelina began a string of protests that sometimes led to lootings and confrontations with security forces. More than 100 people have died during the recent political violence, including at least 28 shot by security forces on Feb. 7. During a time when Mr. Ravalomanana seemed to have the upper hand, he fired the younger man as mayor. While Mr. Rajoelina enjoys considerable popularity, he also is widely disliked. He does not come to power at the crest of a wave of support but as the result of an opportunity created by a divided military.

Earlier, Mr Rajoelina had called for the arrest of the president and won public backing from the self-declared head of the armed forces.

Our correspondent says Mr Rajoelina has wrapped himself in the cloak of democracy, but he wants to replace an elected head of state without going to a ballot.

The opposition leader, a 34-year-old former disc jockey, says the president is a tyrant who misspends public money.

Mr Rajoelina said he wanted a transitional government that would organise elections in the next 18 to 24 months "at the very latest". "I have the mandate of more than 60 political parties in Madagascar to lead this transition, so it isn't a coup at all," he said. Col Andre Ndriarijaona, who last week said he had replaced the military chief of staff, told AFP news agency that soldiers had seized the presidency "to hasten Ravalomanana's departure".

The army has traditionally remained neutral during periods of political volatility since independence from France in 1960. Col Ndriarijaona claimed it was now almost wholly behind the opposition.

Under President Ravalomanana, Madagascar's economy has opened up to foreign investment, particularly in the mining sector. But 70% of the 20 million population still lives on less than $2 (£1.40) a day and correspondents say the opposition has tapped into popular frustration at the failure of this new wealth to trickle down.