MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia said on Wednesday that it was closely watching events in Madagascar and it hoped that bloodshed would be avoided after the military took power following weeks of youth-led protests.

Demonstrations first erupted in Madagascar on September 25 over water and power shortages and quickly escalated into an uprising over broader grievances, including corruption, bad governance and a lack of basic services.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina declared on Tuesday that he had taken power and that a military committee would rule the country for a period of up to two years alongside a transitional government before organising new elections.

“We are following the development of the situation in Madagascar with anxiety,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told reporters in Moscow

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