ANTANANARIVO - The Malagasy presidency said on Sunday that an "attempt to seize power illegally and by force" was currently underway in Madagascar.

In a statement, the presidency said that the attempt was "contrary to the Constitution and the democratic principles of the country."

The statement described the situation as of "extreme gravity" and condemned, in the strongest terms, this attempted destabilization.

The presidency called on all the vital forces of the nation to "rally together to defend the constitutional order and national sovereignty."

It also reaffirmed that "dialogue is the only path and solution" to the current crisis. It warned against any damage to public property, saying that it "hinders the supreme interest of the nation."

The presidency urged the Malagasy people to remain united and reject any attempts at division or instability that could compromise the country's development efforts.