Madagascar opposition leader: Rajoelina's order to dissolve assembly not legal

The leader of the opposition in Madagascar's parliament said on Tuesday that President Andry Rajoelina's order to dissolve the national assembly was "not legally valid", after a stand-off with protesters and the military forced him to flee the country.

"This decree is not legally valid... the President of the National Assembly says he was not consulted," Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko said after the presidency posted a decree saying the president had consulted with the leaders of the assembly and the Senate ahead of the dissolution.