Madagascar braced for a new era of military rule Wednesday, a day after an elite army unit seized power following President Andry Rajoelina's impeachment and pledged elections in less than two years.

The CAPSAT military contingent assumed power Tuesday moments after parliamentarians voted overwhelmingly to impeach Rajoelina, who appeared to have fled the island nation as soldiers joined weeks of street protests at the weekend.

The capital Antananarivo was calm early Wednesday but there was some uncertainty about what to expect next with international bodies expressing concern.

CAPSAT commander Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the new de facto president of the impoverished country, told reporters Tuesday the transition would take under two years and include the restructuring of major insti

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