Rajoelina to meet Ravalomanana

FILE In this file photo of Tuesday March 17, 2009 Andry Rajoelina arrives at a rally in Antananarivo, Madagascar. A colonel who supported Rajoelina's takeover last year claimed Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 that he and other top-ranking officers have taken over the Indian island nation. Rajoelina, the DJ-turned-politician who seized power with military backing last year, had hoped to demonstrate he had the people's support with Wednesday's constitutional referendum. Instead, top officers said they have had enough of Rajoelina, and of the isolation and misery the Indian Ocean island has suffered since they backed his takeover. Rajoelina won't be able to hold onto power long without the military's support. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-File)

FILE In this file photo of Tuesday March 17, 2009 Andry Rajoelina arrives at a rally in Antananarivo, Madagascar. A colonel who supported Rajoelina's takeover last year claimed Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 that he and other top-ranking officers have taken over the Indian island nation. Rajoelina, the DJ-turned-politician who seized power with military backing last year, had hoped to demonstrate he had the people's support with Wednesday's constitutional referendum. Instead, top officers said they have had enough of Rajoelina, and of the isolation and misery the Indian Ocean island has suffered since they backed his takeover. Rajoelina won't be able to hold onto power long without the military's support. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay-File)

Published Jul 23, 2012

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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

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