ISTANBUL

The French embassy in Madagascar said Monday that France has no military intervention underway or planned in the Indian Ocean island country amid ongoing anti-government protests.

In a statement, the embassy denied the “interpretations that may have been drawn from” the recent comments by Patrice Latron, prefect of Reunion island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean.

“There are plans that can be triggered if something were to happen,” Latron reportedly said earlier about the ongoing political crisis in Madagascar.

“We are preparing for it, the Armed Forces of the South Indian Ocean Zone (FAZSOI) and the State service in Reunion," he said.

The prefect’s remarks prompted speculation suggesting French troops might back President Andry Rajoelina or suppress the protests.

This came as youth-led protests that began on Sept. 25 over severe shortages of water and electricity, poverty, alleged corruption and calls for Rajoelina’s resignation continue.

The unrest led to government reshuffles, including the dissolution of the Cabinet and appointment of a new prime minister.

On Saturday, troops from the Army Personnel Administration Center (CAPSAT), a military unit instrumental in Rajoelina's rise to power through a 2009 coup, declared its support for the protests.

On Sunday, CAPSAT installed a new military chief, hours after Rajoelina denounced its support for the protests as “an attempt to seize power illegally.”

Gen. Demosthene Pikulas was installed by the military unit during a ceremony at the army headquarters in the capital Antananarivo attended by Armed Forces Minister Manantsoa Deramasinjaka Rakotoarivelo, who was appointed by Rajoelina last week.

Rajoelina’s office said early on Monday that the president would address the nation at 7 pm local time (1600GMT), amid rumors of his flight to abroad.

Rakotoarivelo reportedly said on Monday he did not know the whereabouts of Rajoelina.