Madagascar's president has fled the country on a French plane amid widespread protests that saw an elite military unit join demonstrators opposing the government.
Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, the leader of the opposition in parliament, told Reuters news agency that Andry Rajoelina left the country on Sunday.
"We called the staff of the [president] and they confirmed that he left the country," Mr Randrianasoloniaiko said, adding that Mr Rajoelina's whereabouts were unknown.
The president's office did not reply to requests for comment.
In an address to the nation broadcast on Facebook late on Monday Mr Rajoelina said he had to moved to a safe location to protect his own life.
He did not disclose his whereabouts but appeared defiant and said he would not "allow Madagascar to be destroyed".
A diplomatic source said after the speech that Mr Rajoelina was refusing to step down.
President fled on French military plane
A military source told Reuters that Mr Rajoelina flew out of the former French colony on a French military aircraft.
French radio station RFI said he had struck a deal with President Emmanuel Macron.
Mr Macron, speaking in Egypt after a summit on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, said he could not immediately confirm reports that France had helped Rajoelina to flee the country.
He added that constitutional order must be preserved in Madagascar and that while France understood the grievances of the country's youth, those grievances should not be exploited by military factions.
The military source said a French Army Casa aircraft landed in Madagascar's Sainte Marie airport on Sunday.
"Five minutes later a helicopter arrived and transferred its passenger into the Casa," the source said, adding that the passenger was Mr Rajoelina.
Demonstrations erupted in the country on September 25 over water and power shortages but quickly escalated into an uprising over broader grievances, including corruption, bad governance and a lack of basic services.
The anger mirrored recent protests against ruling elites elsewhere, including in Nepal, where the prime minister was forced to resign last month, and in Morocco.
Government lost support of army unit
Mr Rajoelina had appeared increasingly isolated after losing the support of CAPSAT, an elite unit that helped him to seize power in a 2009 coup.
CAPSAT joined the protesters over the weekend and escorted thousands in the main square of the capital Antananarivo.
It later said it was taking charge of the military and appointed a new army chief, prompting Mr Rajoelina to warn on Sunday of an attempt to seize power.
On Monday thousands of people gathered in a square in the capital and called for Mr Rajoelina to quit.
Hotel worker Adrianarivony Fanomegantsoa, 22, told Reuters he was joining the protests because his 300,000-ariary ($67) monthly salary was barely enough to cover food.
"In 16 years the president and his government have done nothing except enrich themselves while the people stay poor," he said.
"And the youth, the Gen Z, suffer the most."
At least 22 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces since September 25, according to the United Nations.
Reuters/ABC
