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Madagascar leader to be sworn in Madagascar leader to be sworn in
(about 1 hour later)
Madagascar's new leader, Andry Rajoelina, who ousted elected President Marc Ravalomanana this week, is due to be formally sworn in as president. Madagascar's Andry Rajoelina, who ousted elected leader Marc Ravalomanana this week, is to be sworn in as African's youngest president.
But the ceremony at the main sports stadium in the capital, Antananarivo, is to be hit with a diplomatic boycott. But the 34-year-old former DJ's inauguration at the main sports stadium in the capital, Antananarivo, is to be hit with a diplomatic boycott.
The US cut off non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar and the African Union suspended Madagascar on Friday. The EU also condemned the power grab. The US cut off non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar and the African Union suspended the island nation on Friday.
Madagascar's constitutional court this week approved the handover of power. Madagascar's highest court this week approved the handover of power.
"The ambassadors to the US, France, Germany and the European Union have told us they won't be attending," an aide to the deposed Mr Ravalomanana told Reuters new agency."The ambassadors to the US, France, Germany and the European Union have told us they won't be attending," an aide to the deposed Mr Ravalomanana told Reuters new agency.
Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former disc jockey, has suspended parliament and set up two transitional bodies to run the country. The BBC's Christina Corbett in Antananarivo says widespread condemnation of Mr Rajoelina's military-backed rise to power has not deterred him from throwing a lavish inauguration ceremony.
The former Antananarivo mayor says he now wants to change the constitution, which at presents bars him from contesting presidential elections, as he is six years too young. Aides close to Mr Rajoelina say they are not concerned by the string of international denouncements that has followed the former president's removal.
Washington called Tuesday's takeover a "coup" while the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has threatened sanctions against Madagascar. Mr Rajoelina has suspended parliament and set up two transitional bodies to run the Indian Ocean island.
'Coup'
The former Antananarivo mayor, who has never stood for national office, has promised elections within 18 to 24 months, but foreign powers have called for polls sooner.
Marc Ravalomanana's whereabouts are still unknown
Mr Rajoelina also says he wants to change the constitution, which at presents bars him from contesting presidential elections, as he is six years too young.
Washington called the takeover a "coup" while Norway also cut aid to Madagascar, where 70% of government spending comes from overseas funds.
The EU has added its voice to the chorus of condemnation and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has threatened sanctions against Madagascar.
Roindefo Monja, prime minister in Mr Rajoelina's transitional administration, told Reuters news agency on Friday the new government stood by its actions.
"The people demanded liberty and the military rallied to the popular movement, but it did not seize power... We are confident the international community will understand," he said.
There is still no word on the whereabouts of Mr Ravalomanana, whose re-election to a second term in 2006 could not save him from being ousted.There is still no word on the whereabouts of Mr Ravalomanana, whose re-election to a second term in 2006 could not save him from being ousted.
At least 100 people died in Madagascar during several months of violent protests and looting, triggered by the power struggle between Mr Ravalomanana and Mr Rajoelina. He quit after weeks of deadly street protests amid the power struggle and handed power to the military, which then named his bitter enemy Mr Rajoelina as leader.