Senegal invites Madagascar foes for talks

Wed Mar 11, 2009 2:36pm EDT


DAKAR, March 11 (Reuters) - Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade invited the rival leaders in Madagascar's deepening political crisis to come to his West African country for peace negotiations, Wade's presidency said on Wednesday.

A presidency statement said the invitation followed requests for Wade to mediate from both Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina.

Earlier on Wednesday, a rebel soldier in the Indian Ocean island declared himself head of the army, ousting a general who had given the feuding leaders a three-day ultimatum to end the weeks-old violent crisis, which has killed about 135 people. (Reporting by Diadie Ba; writing by Alistair Thomson)



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