20120519
AFP
Madagascar's strongman leader Andry Rajoelina said Friday he was ready to make a political agreement with the president he ousted ahead of new elections.

Rajoelina said after talks with UN leader Ban Ki-moon that he wanted to hold the elections as soon as possible but would not commit to a deadline for a vote nor to letting his predecessor Marc Ravalomanana take part.

Rajoelina ousted Ravalomanana as president in March 2009 and the former leader is now in exile in South Africa, having been found guilty in absentia for the deaths of opposition demonstrators. Ravalomanana was excluded from an amnesty announced this year.

Madagascar's main political factions signed an accord in September last year to set up a transitional government to guide the vast Indian Ocean island to elections.

"The UN experts are currently in Madagascar," Rajoelina told reporters, adding that he had asked Ban for more UN help.

"They have made a study of the election needs so that we can fix a date," he added. "I hope the elections can take place as soon as possible so that Madagascar can resume its place in the international community."

"The former president was convicted and did not receive an amnesty. But to re-establish peace in Madagascar we are ready to make a political accord so that, as part of the national reconciliation, we can find some agreement to give a future to the 20 million Madagascar people," Rajoelina said.

Asked whether Ravalomanana could take part in an election, the Madagascar leader said: "It is a case of finding a political solution for his case. But for the legal questions, all is already decided."

Madagascar electoral commission sources have said a date for elections will be announced around May 28.