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Madagascar rivals soothe tensions | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Madagascar's president and his political rival have agreed to try to calm tensions that have seen about 100 people killed in the last month. | |
It was the first meeting between President Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina, the sacked mayor of Antananarivo, since the crisis began. | |
A church group mediating the meeting said the leaders agreed to end violence and political arrests. | |
There are expected to be further talks, though no date has been set. | |
Mr Rajoelina, who was sacked as the capital's mayor earlier this month, has accused the president of being a dictator. | |
President Ravalomanana denies abusing power and has told supporters he intends to remain in power until the end of his mandate in 2011. | President Ravalomanana denies abusing power and has told supporters he intends to remain in power until the end of his mandate in 2011. |
Five-point plan | |
Saturday's meeting was marked by "respect, cordiality and calm" on both sides, said the Council of Christian Churches in Madagascar (FFKM), which hosted the talks. | |
The body said the rivals had agreed a five-point plan that included ending provocative statements and the spreading of false information. | |
They also agreed to stop violence, looting, public meetings and arrests "of a political nature". | |
Analysts say a power-sharing unity government is a likely option for Madagascar now. | Analysts say a power-sharing unity government is a likely option for Madagascar now. |
The 34-year-old opposition leader, a former DJ turned politician, has declared himself president and is attempting to establish a parallel administration, which he wants to install in government buildings. | The 34-year-old opposition leader, a former DJ turned politician, has declared himself president and is attempting to establish a parallel administration, which he wants to install in government buildings. |
On Friday, the security forces threw opposition supporters out of four government buildings they had seized a day earlier. | On Friday, the security forces threw opposition supporters out of four government buildings they had seized a day earlier. |
Earlier, Mr Rajoelina called off a planned march on the presidential palace. | Earlier, Mr Rajoelina called off a planned march on the presidential palace. |
The last time protesters had marched on the palace, security forces killed 28 people. | The last time protesters had marched on the palace, security forces killed 28 people. |
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