President fires PM, cabinet ministers

The president of the African island nation of Madagascar dissolved his government on Monday in response to days of fiery youth-led protests that the United Nations says have claimed nearly two dozen lives and injured dozens more.

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In a nationally televised address, the president, Andry Rajoelina, acknowledged the outrage of the thousands of young people who have taken to the streets over the past week to denounce the government's failure to provide stable electricity and water.

"I understand the anger, the sadness and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems," he said. "I heard the call; I felt the suffering; I understood the impact on daily life."