Madagascar's new president, Andry Rajoelina, celebrated and consolidated power today after being appointed by the Indian Ocean island's military in a move that drew international disapproval.
Mr Rajoelina (34) a former disc jockey, partied with supporters in the street after meeting his ministers to plan strategy.
The priorities for Africa's newest leader are anti-poverty programmes demanded by locals, handling international concerns at his rise and controlling some dissent in the armed forces.
"We will bring about the return to a normal life, to security and above all national reconciliation, which is at the heart of democracy," he told several thousand supporters.
In a boost to Mr Rajoelina's legitimacy, Madagascar's Constitutional Court issued a statement endorsing the takeover.
He is to be formally sworn in on Saturday.
President Marc Ravalomanana resigned yesterday after most of the military backed his rival, who had led weeks of anti-government strikes and protests.
The worst unrest in years killed at least 135 people, devastated the $390 million-a-year tourism sector and worried multinationals with investments in the mining and oil industries.
Nervous of more turmoil, the US embassy ordered non-essential staff and their families to leave Madagascar.
In a warning issued late last night, the department also warned US citizens of the risks of traveling to the Indian Ocean nation and recommended against going there.
"While American citizens have not been targeted to date, the Department of State has ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members at the US Embassy in Antananarivo due to the ongoing unrest and security concerns," the department said in a statement.
The statement told US citizens already in Madagascar to consider the dangers of staying and "maintain a high level of vigilance and a low profile".
Mr Ravalomanana's whereabouts were unclear. The opposition had accused him of corruption and of losing touch with the majority of the population who live on less than $2 a day.
There was a heavy military presence at the palace where Mr Ravalomanana capitulated. A Reuters TV witness saw broken windows and furniture, as well as a crowbar lodged in the door of a safe. It was not clear whether departing presidential guards, the army or the public had ransacked the building.
According to Malagasy law, the head of parliament's upper house should have taken over after the president's resignation and organised an election within two months.
Instead, Rajoelina - who is six years too young to be president under the constitution - now heads a transitional government which has pledged to hold a poll within two years.
The outcome was also a slap in the face for the African Union (AU), which has censured recent violent transfers of power that have damaged the continent's reputation with investors.
The AU had demanded the constitution be respected scrupulously. But the fact the army refused to take over yesterday, as Ravalomanana had requested, means the AU may not brand it a coup, which would have meant suspending Madagascar.
South African president Kgalema Motlanthe, who is chairman of the SADC regional trade bloc, denounced the change of power - underlining the diplomatic difficulties Mr Rajoelina may face.
SADC executive secretary Tomaz Salamao said the bloc had scheduled a meeting in Swaziland tomorrow to discuss how to handle the situation.
Reuters