Crisis talks to end months of political instability in Madagascar have collapsed as the parties failed to agree who should hold key posts in a transitional government. Ousted president Marc Ravalomanana and his successor Andry Rajoelina remained deadlocked over who should occupy the presidency in the interim government, the African Union - which is brokering the talks - said.

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Pressenza, Antananarivo, 2009-08-28

Crisis talks to end months of political instability in Madagascar have collapsed as the parties failed to agree who should hold key posts in a transitional government.

Ousted president Marc Ravalomanana and his successor Andry Rajoelina remained deadlocked over who should occupy the presidency in the interim government, the African Union - which is brokering the talks - said.

Mr Ravalomanana was toppled from power in March by his rival after weeks of violent street protests which culminated in an army-backed coup by Mr Rajoelina. Mr Ravalomanana said that Mr Rajoelina's nomination to lead the transitional government would be an insult to democratic principles.

The international political arena has been putting pressure on Madagascar to resolve the crisis. Under a power-sharing agreement on 9 August, the country's leaders were given 30 days to build a consensus government.

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