Madagascar rivals agree power-sharing deal

Sat Nov 7, 2009 4:23am GMT
 

* Rajoelina remains president, with two co-presidents

* Parties working on sharing of cabinet posts

* Deal will allow donors to re-engage

By Alain Iloniaina

ADDIS ABABA, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Madagascar's political rivals struck a deal late Friday on the make-up of a unity government, paving the way for an end to a 10-month political crisis that has rocked the Indian Ocean island.

The agreement sees coup-instigator Andry Rajoelina remain president, accompanied by two new co-presidents after former leader Marc Ravalomanana refused any accord which saw his successor retain sole leadership of the oil and mineral-endowed country.

"There will be two co-presidents as well as the president. That has been decided and accepted by leaders of the four movements, and by the president of the transition too," Rajoelina told reporters shortly before midnight in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

Tiebile Drame, the U.N. special envoy to Madagascar, confirmed the agreement and said the parties were now working on dividing up ministerial portfolios.  Continued...

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