Wed Jul 1, 2009

SIRTE, Libya (AFP) – International mediation aimed at ending Madagascar's political crisis will resume this month, the African Union's commissioner for peace and security told AFP on Wednesday.

"The idea was to take a break so that Madagascar's political forces can consult among themselves on what efforts they can make to move closer together," Ramtane Lamamra said.

"The plan is to resume talks this month of July," he said.

"In mid-July a meeting is planned to by the international contact group... to evaluate the situation and to look for ways to intensify and accelerate the negotiations," Lamamra said.

Madagascar's elected president Marc Ravalomanana was toppled in March following street protests that saw opposition leader Andry Rajoelina take power, with the army's blessing.

Talks sponsored notably by the African Union and United Nations were launched on April 8 between Rajoelina's transitional authority and supporters of Ravalomanana, who is still recognised by the international community as the island's lawful leader.

But the talks were suspended on June 16 with no date for resumption set.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) held an emergency summit the following weekend to reiterate the regional bloc's support for a negotiated settlement, and appointed former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano to coordinate mediation efforts.

Ravalomanana has come to Libya for the AU summit, although the island nation has been suspended from the continental grouping, to lobby the leaders to press for his return to Madagascar.