Madagascar`s Political Rivals Hold Talks

Andry Rajoelina met the president in a building used by church leaders who are mediating.

Madagascar's opposition leader met President Marc Ravalomanana on Saturday for talks to resolve a power struggle that has killed at least 125 people in the past month.

Andry Rajoelina, 34, a charismatic former mayor of the capital who wants Ravalomanana to step aside, met the president in a building used by church leaders who are mediating.

Earlier, Rajoelina told a rally of his supporters in Antananarivo to disperse. They had been planning to hold a march later on Saturday. When protesters last marched on the presidential palace, the security forces killed 28 people.

The power struggle on the world's fourth largest island has dented its image as a safe destination for foreign companies investing in the mining sector and has scared off tourists.

On Thursday, opposition supporters seized four government ministries to try to install a parallel administration appointed by Rajoelina.

The security forces fired in the air and removed them from the buildings on Friday, prompting the opposition to rule out any talks and prepare for a march the following day.

Rajoelina, a former disc jockey turned firebrand politician, accuses Ravalomanana of being a dictator and has tapped into popular frustration over the government's failure to tackle poverty on the Indian Ocean island.

The 59-year-old president, a self-made millionaire who launched his business empire by selling dairy products off a bicycle, denies abusing power and has pledged to fulfil his mandate which expires in two years.

Analysts say a power-sharing, unity government looks an increasingly likely option for Madagascar given the legitimacy Rajoelina's popular support lends him.

Kenya went down that route last year after political violence. Zimbabwe did the same this month.