Dozens of soldiers threw a cordon around public square in Madagascar's capital

They later vacated the square, clearing the way for 100 opposition activists to gather, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

Dozens of soldiers yesterday threw a cordon around a public square in Madagascar's capital where opposition protests against new electoral laws have left one person dead in the restive island nation.

They later vacated the square, clearing the way for 100 opposition activists to gather, an AFP reporter at the scene said.