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Madagascar leader abandons deal | |
(41 minutes later) | |
Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina has formally abandoned a power-sharing peace deal a day after appointing a military prime minister. | |
Col Vital Albert Camille was named to replace consensus Prime Minister Eugene Mangalaza, who was sacked by Mr Rajoelina on Friday. | |
Mr Rajoelina said he was also scrapping the two posts of co-president set up under the power-sharing deal. | |
Mr Rajoelina, a former DJ, came to power with military backing in March. | |
The power-sharing deal was agreed after longs talks with the opposition, including supporters of ousted President Marc Ravalomanana. | |
Madagascar has been riven by political turmoil for almost a year, with Mr Rajoelina taking power after weeks of protests which saw dozens of people lose their lives. | |
'Illegal appointment' | 'Illegal appointment' |
In the statement announcing that he was scrapping the power-sharing deal, Mr Rajoelina warned this meant that any opposition attempt to convene parliament would be illegal. | |
After chairing his first cabinet meeting on Sunday, Col Vital said: "We are in a very difficult, even frightening situation." | |
In an address broadcast across the nation, he also called on the opposition to work with the government. | In an address broadcast across the nation, he also called on the opposition to work with the government. |
He said his priorities were to deliver security and organise elections. | He said his priorities were to deliver security and organise elections. |
One senior opposition figure has said Col Vital's appointment is illegal, according to Reuters news agency. | |
Mr Mangalaza was sacked just a day after Mr Rajoelina called a parliamentary election for 20 March 2010. | |
He initially said he would appoint Cecile Manorohanta as prime minister, before naming Col Vital on Sunday. | |
Donors have frozen aid and say funding will not be resumed until a power-sharing government takes office and new elections held, Reuters reported. |