Victoria, Seychelles - Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina arrived Monday in the Seychelles where he is to hold talks with Marc Ravalomanana, the president he ousted in 2009, an AFP reporter said.
Rajoelina landed just before 11:00 GMT at Mahe airport and was immediately transferred to Desroches, a private island 230
kilometres (140 miles) away where the talks will be held, a Seychelles diplomat said.
“President Andry Rajoelina has already gone to Desroches Island, where the discussions with former president Marc Ravalomanana will take place,” the diplomat said.
Ravalomanana is expected to arrive Tuesday, a Seychelles government source told AFP.
The 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC), which is mediating in the crisis, is expected to bring the two men face-to-face on Wednesday.
SADC has set a July 31 deadline for the two rivals to settle their differences so that a timetable for elections in Madagascar can be unveiled next week. - Sapa-AFP