20091211

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Madagascar's leader said on Friday it was no longer possible to negotiate with his political rivals, apparently ending hopes for a power-sharing government on the crisis-racked island.

President Andry Rajoelina, who seized power in March, accused opposition leaders of attempting their own coup d'etat this week after they struck a deal on the make-up of a unity government without him in Mozambique.

"It has become impossible, and it is no longer envisaged, to collaborate (with the opposition)," Rajoelina told supporters in Fianarantsoa, 400 km (250 miles) south of the capital Antananarivo.

In comments broadcast live by local media, the former disc jockey said it was clear that Madagascar's 20 million people no longer supported efforts to build a consensus government.

"I get the message. We will now decide what is best for the people," Rajoelina said.

African nations and foreign powers say frozen aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars will only be released once a power-sharing government is established and a road-map to fresh elections on the Indian Ocean island is in place.

The prolonged crisis has created uncertainty for foreign investors such as mining groups Rio Tinto and Sherritt International and oil firms Total and Exxon Mobil.

Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano mediated this week's talks and called them a step in the right direction. France said the resolutions had been regrettable.