, Oct. 13 -- Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina on Sunday said an attempted coup is underway in the Indian Ocean nation, a day after members of an elite army unit joined youth-led demonstrations calling for his resignation.

Rajoelina's office did not provide details on who is behind the coup, and no immediate signs of violence were reported on the streets, although there was a visible military presence.

Col. Michael Randrianirina, a commander of the elite CAPSAT unit, denied a coup had occurred but claimed that the unit had taken control of Madagascar's armed forces and installed Gen. Demosthene Pikulas as the new military leader. "We responded to the people's call," Randrianirina told reporters. Pikulas, speaking alongside him, did...