Anti-government protests and general strikes have also escalated across the country

Security forces clashed with anti-government protesters at Antananarivo's May 13 Plaza on 4 March 2009. Reports indicate that security forces had been patrolling near May 13 Plaza since sunrise and had set up roadblocks around the perimeter as part of an effort to prevent the opposition from holding protests. Some protesters responded to the new security measures by throwing burning tires and rocks at the police officers, who in turn fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. There were no immediate reports of injuries in the incident. Additional protests are expected in the capital in the coming days, as opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has called for daily nationwide protests to force President Marc Ravalomanana to resign. Meanwhile, anti-government protests and general strikes have also escalated in other cities. In Ambositra, which is located approximately 155 mi/250 km south of Antananarivo, opposition supporters have reportedly blocked off roads leading to and from the city, including the No. 7 highway leading to the capital. Protests are also ongoing in Mahajanga in the northwest and Fianarantsoa in the southeast.