Madagascar's mutinous soldiers have put their leader, Colonel Andre Ndriarijaona, at the post of army chief, local media reported on Wednesday.

The soldiers made the decision at a meeting held on Tuesday after declaring no obeisance to the government on Sunday night, according to the "Les Nouvelles" newspaper.

"I replace the army chief of staff . From now on, we shall no longer receive orders issued from the president of the Republic," Ndriarijaona was quoted as saying after the meeting held at the army camp in Soanierana.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2009)