ANTANANARIVO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Permanent Office of Madagascar's Senate has announced that Richard Ravalomanana was removed from his position as the Senate president.

The institution explained in a statement on Sunday that this decision follows an in-depth consultation with all senators, in view of the country's current situation.

It justified the measure by citing the need to preserve the "supreme interest of the nation" and strengthen cohesion within political institutions.

The senators subsequently appointed Jean Andre Ndremanjary as the acting Senate president, who will manage the institution's current affairs until a new president is elected. They also called on the public to respect the law and uphold national unity in a spirit of peace and stability.

According to the constitution, the president of the Senate assumes the interim presidency of the Republic of Madagascar in the event of a power vacuum. ■