Mediator says Madagascar leaders close in on deal
MAPUTO (Reuters) - Madagascar's feuding leaders are expected to reach a partial deal on a transitional government within hours, mediators said, although it remained unclear whether the crucial issue of the presidency had been resolved.
Earlier, the island's ex-leader Marc Ravalomanana refused to accept Andry Rajoelina's nomination as president tasked with guiding the country out of months of political turmoil.
Rajoelina, who toppled Ravalomanana in March after weeks of violent street protests, has demanded the top position in a country increasingly of interest to foreign companies for its oil, bauxite, nickel, cobalt, gold and uranium.
"There will be an agreement today. It may not resolve all the issues, but there will be an agreement," said lead mediator Joaquim Chissano, a former president of Mozambique.
Regional blocs and foreign powers including the United States and the European Union condemned former DJ Rajoelina's rise to power and key foreign donors suspended aid.
It remained unclear whether Chissano's remark implied a softening in position from either Ravalomanana or Rajoelina.
An earlier statement from Ravalomanana's camp had categorically rejected supporting Rajoelina's nomination.
"The Ravalomanana movement will never depart from (the) respect for the right of citizens to vote," a statement issued by Ravalomanana's camp said late on Wednesday.
"Therefore, it will never accept to legitimise the author of an unconstitutional change by appointing him head of the presidency."
The communique said naming Rajoelina as head of state would be an insult to the Malagasy people who elected Ravalomanana through the ballot box.
In a game of political brinkmanship in the lead up to this week's talks -- dubbed Maputo II -- Rajoelina said he was the only person to lead an eventual consensus government. Mediators say the talks will end on Thursday regardless of the outcome.
"Today (Thursday) will be the last day. If they leave this place (without an agreement) they will have to try new ideas next time and fast-track the process," Chissano said.
Rajoelina, Ravalomanana and two former presidents -- Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy -- have to nominate a president, a prime minister, three deputy prime ministers and 28 ministers within 30 days under the terms of a deal struck on August 9.
That agreement also saw charges of abuse of office levelled against Ravalomanana cancelled, paving the way for his return to the world's fourth largest island from exile in South Africa.
In turn, Ravalomanana agreed he would not play a direct role in the transitional government mandated to hold elections within 15 months.
(Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Daniel Wallis)