ANTANANARIVO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Madagascar's top police official called for unity among the police, the armed forces and the gendarmerie here on Monday following the revolt of some 600 troops a day before.

    In a statement issued on Monday, Talbot Antonin Alexis, Director General of Madagascan National police, presented his condolences to the families of those who were killed in the social turmoil and political crisis that began last December.

    There was only command for the police throughout the island country, whose responsibilities included the protection of people's lives and properties and the maintaining of order in respect of human rights, the statement said.

    Saying that there was always solidarity between the policemen, the national armed forces and the gendarmerie, the police chief called all Madagascans to remain calm.

    He urged all politicians of his country to seek a quick solution to the current political crisis, which made it difficult for the police to maintain order. The statement appealed to all police officers to respect laws and regulations of the National Police in their behavior and during their work.

    Rumors spreading here said that there was a split in the armed forces, the police and the gendarmerie, with one group supporting the government led by Ravalomanana and other one taking side with the opposition led by the sacked Antananarivo major Andry Rajoelina.

    Media reports here also said that the presidential guards had prepared to attack the troops who refused to obey orders of their commanders.

    However, the director of the Presidential Security Alain Randriamamory denied the reports. "The reports from some media on the attack are not true. The presidential guard has no such an intention," the Brigadier-General told Radio Mada Sunday night.

    He described these reports as rumors, aimed at undermining the unity of the armed forces, who were ordered to restore peace and security in the capital city last Wednesday.

    "We have to keep a watch on the misinformation, because this is done to sow hatred between Madagascans," he added.

    On Sunday, soldiers of the Army Corps of Personnel and Administrative and Technical Services declared that they would not obey orders by the regime to repress the anti-government demonstrators, saying that their duty was to protect the people and their properties.

    Local media said that the 600-strong troops control large stocks of arms and ammunition at the barracks six kilometers from the city center.

    Urging citizens to be calm, Randriamamory reminded the people to be careful of media misinformation, which, he said, wanted to sow hatred between Madagascans.

    Randriamamory did not mention the mutiny in the military camp, which has been sealed off by the armed troops since Sunday.

    The revolted soldiers reportedly arrested one of the presidential guards and killed one policeman in civilian dress on his way to the barracks.

    No armed troops were seen on Monday at the roads to and from the city center, where the opposition had called anti-government gatherings ever since last December.

    Under the order of the government led by president Marc Ravalomanana, the armed troops and the police went to the streets last Wednesday to restore order and security of the mountainous city, which has been in a mass turmoil for nearly two months.