African Union wants Madagascar contact group

By Barry Malone

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - The African Union said on Tuesday it wanted to set up an international contact group to ensure countries took a common position in pushing for a return to constitutional order in Madagascar.

The African Union's top diplomat, Jean Ping, said the 53-member body did not support the electoral plan agreed by Madagascar's transition at a conference last week.

"(It) did not take place in conditions conducive to the forging of a national consensus on the modalities for the return to constitutional order and in a manner that would elicit the support of the AU," he said.

The two-day conference agreed to hold presidential elections in October 2010 after a series of steps this year, such as reforming the electoral code and changing the constitution.

The party of former President Marc Ravalomanana boycotted the talks, which were attended by supporters of Madagascar's new leader, Andry Rajoelina, church and military leaders and members of civil society.

Rajoelina came to power last month when Ravalomanana stepped aside following intense pressure from the opposition and army chiefs in the Indian Ocean island.

CONTACT GROUP

Foreign leaders branded the transition a coup and have called for quick elections to restore constitutional order. Madagascar has been suspended from the African Union and the Southern African Development Community.