news from antananarivo

By Alain Iloniaina

Antananarivo - Ousted Madagascar leader Marc Ravalomanana has rejected sharing power with the new army-backed president in a move likely to entrench the deadlock between the two camps.

Tensions have heightened this week on the Indian Ocean island as pro-Ravalomanana supporters defied a government ban on public protests and continued their attempts to hold near-daily gatherings in the capital Antananarivo.

"They broke the law and carried out a coup d'etat that was condemned by the entire international community," Ravalomanana said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Last week, he said that he was open to sharing power with Andry Rajoelina, Africa's youngest president, who has accused Ravalomanana of being a dictator.