ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Madagascar's president, Andry Rajoelina, on Sunday named an army officer as his new prime minister after the collapse of power-sharing negotiations to end months of political turmoil on the Indian Ocean island.
"The president of the transition enforces the nomination of Colonel Vital Albert Camille," Presidency Secretary General Haja Resampa told reporters."
Colonel Vital immediately urged opposition leaders to work with his government.
The appointment will seriously dent hopes of persuading Rajoelina to return to the negotiating table and rattle foreign investors eying Madagascar's oil and mineral resources.
On Friday evening, Rajoelina sacked his former premier, Eugene Mangalaza, after the opposition said it would forge ahead with forming a consensus government with or without him.
The 35-year old leader has said parliamentary elections will be held on March 20.
(Reporting by Alain Iloniaina; writing by Richard Lough)
