Ousted Madagascar leader tours Ethiopia and Libya to seek support

Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana leaves a rally outside his palace, March 15, 2009. He was ousted from office last month by former mayor Andry Rajoelina, with the backing of the army. Photo/REUTERS

ADDIS ABABA, Wednesday
Ousted Madagascar president Marc Ravalomanana, who has been exiled in southern Africa, met with Africa Union officials Tuesday and explained the political stalemate in his country.

Ousted from his office last month, Marc Ravalomanana met Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and African Union chief Jean Ping in Addis Ababa to discuss the situation in Madagascar.

Mr Ravalomanana also met some western and African diplomats in Addis Ababa to seek support from the international community.

After the discussion, Africa Union chief Jean Ping renewed his call for an immediate return of constitutional order in Madagascar.

Mr Ravalomanana also urged the international community to act on Madagascar political crisis and reinstate him to his presidential post.

“I am an elected and legitimate president of Madagascar,” he told journalists.

The main mission of Mr Marc Ravalomanana is to seek international support against Andry Rajoelina former Antananarivo mayor who ousted him with the backing of the army.

Mr Ravalomanana was accompanied by Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) representative and Swaziland Foreign minister Lutfo Dlamini.

On Wednesday afternoon, Marc Ravalomanana left for Libya to meet the current African Union chairman Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.