Madagascar sets presidential election for Oct 2010

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Madagascar plans to hold a presidential election in October 2010 to restore democracy after Andry Rajoelina took power last month in a transition branded a coup by foreign leaders.

A roadmap agreed during a two-day conference in the capital Antananarivo envisages changes to the constitution and electoral code this year followed by a parliamentary election next March and then the presidential vote in October.

"The transition will therefore be 19 months rather than 24," Rajoelina told delegates on Friday. "No one wants to remain president of the state's (transition) authority for long, but it is a responsibility."

He had previously pledged to hold elections within two years of his rise to power but foreign leaders have been calling for quick elections to restore constitutional order.

Madagascar has been suspended from the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). A defiant Rajoelina said this week it was not in the country's interests to be a SADC member anyway.

The party of former President Marc Ravalomanana boycotted the two-day conference.

"We appeal for mediation from SADC or international forces," said party member Fetison Andrianirina. "We will seek meetings with those who have different views to us, but that will only happen with international mediation."

Ravalomanana stepped down after intense pressure from Rajoelina's supporters and army chiefs. He fled to Swaziland and pledged last month to return to Madagascar soon.

Last week, his supporters held daily protests in the capital. At least 34 people were injured on Saturday when demonstrators clashed with the security forces.

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The transition timetable starts with a national conference before June 26 to confirm the provisional roadmap. A new electoral code will be adopted in July followed by a referendum on constitutional changes in September.

Despite widespread international condemnation of Rajoelina's accession, few donor countries have suspended development aid to the Indian Ocean island where many eke out a living on less than $2 a day.

France, the country's biggest bilateral donor, on Friday denied reports it was suspending aid. It repeated calls for a return to constitutional rule.

"The change of government in Madagascar two weeks ago did not prompt any suspension of programmes because France did not wish to further penalize the people of Madagascar," the government said in a statement.

The crisis has scared off tourists and unnerved foreign investors in the booming mining and oil exploration sectors.

Rajoelina said this week his administration was reviewing all contracts with foreign investors because the country was receiving too little revenue from the companies.

These include Total, Rio Tinto and Sherritt International, although their operations were not affected by the unrest because they are located in rural areas.

(Additional reporting by Estelle Shirbon in Paris; Writing by David Clarke; Editing by Robert Woodward)