Ex-leader to attend AU summit

2009-06-28 20:02

Johannesburg - Ousted Madagascar president Marc Ravalomanana has arrived in Libya ahead of an African Union summit, where he will meet leaders to discuss his country's crisis, his office said on Sunday.

"President Ravalomanana will continue to work closely with all parties interested in finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis in Madagascar," said a statement.

The ex-president of the Indian Ocean island, now living in exile in South Africa, was toppled three months ago following street protests that saw opposition leader Andry Rajoelina take power with the army's blessing.

'Negotiated settlement'

"He will meet with heads of state to discuss the crisis in Madagascar" in Sirte, where African leaders start a three-day summit on Wednesday, said his office.

Last weekend, Ravalomanana met with several heads of state at a special summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which called for a negotiated settlement in Madagascar.

"Ravalomanana again declared his commitment to support the process of further dialogue endorsed by SADC and the AU. President Ravalomanana applauded SADC's efforts to help bring about a peaceful solution to the crisis," said the statement.

SADC took up the baton after mediation efforts by the AU and UN were suspended.

Ravalomanana has sought to rally African support for a return to power, even saying military options should be considered - a view shared by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the continent's largest trading bloc.

Both the AU and SADC suspended Madagascar after the March 17 ouster.

- SAPA