Madagascar

Prime Minister meets "opposition Prime Minister"

Article published on the 2009-03-12 Latest update 2009-03-13 10:15 TU

Madagascan Defence Minister Mamy Ranaivoniarivo (L) walks past soldiers in Madagascan capital Antananarivo on Tuesday
(Photo: Reuters)

Madagascar's Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara met on Thursday with the "Opposition Prime Minister" Roindefo Zafitsimivalo Monja. The meeting was confirmed by the government but no details were forthcoming about the agenda.

This comes as a two-day conference that was scheduled for Thursday was postponed.

"The conference of churches decided to postpone the opening of that conference by a few days because of a lack of readiness by some participants to join," says Jean-Claude Boidin, Head of the EU Commission delegation to Madagascar.

"We understand that the leaders of the churches would hope to convene it as early as possible next week," said Boidin, "once they have assurances from the various parties that would be prepared and able to participate"

Boidin rejected recent suggestions that Madagascar was on the brink of civil war.

"Madagascar is certainly in a situation which is tense but we certainly do not see a civil war coming," he told RFI, "the army, despite the divisions which have appeared, is able to keep control and remain united at the moment so I would hope that the security situation will remain stable."

The Chief of Staff of the country's army had earlier issued a 72 hour deadline to President Marc Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andy Rajoelina to reach an agreement, threatening a military takeover.

He has since been replaced.

Also on Thursday, Defence chief Mamy Ranaivoniarivo reversed an earlier decision to resign, following a cabinet meeting.

A military council had called for his resignation after "violence carried out against the population".