26 March 2009

Antananarivo, Madagascar - Police fired bullets into the air on Thursday in Madagascar's capital, scattering thousands of demonstrators who support the country's ousted president, witnesses said.

About 6 000 people who back former President Marc Ravalomanana had turned out for the protest in downtown Antananarivo. Officials with Ravalomanana's party had finished speaking and some in the crowd were heading to a central square as police fired.

No injuries were reported.

Last week, the military pronounced former opposition leader Andry Rajoelina president after his rival Ravalomanana stepped down following months of protests.

Rajoelina has promised new elections within two years, after a new constitution and electoral laws are adopted and an independent electoral commission is installed.

But demonstrations against Rajoelina have been steadily growing over the last few days. On Wednesday, protesters from both sides threw rocks at each other before riot police dispersed them with tear gas.

A national conference that Rajoelina says will include all key groups - including Ravalomanana's party - was to be convened next week to discuss the new constitution and electoral systems. Speakers at Thursday's protest said Ravalomanana would only participate if he was recognized at the conference as the nation's elected president and if it were organized by the Southern African Development Community or other another neutral, international body.

The April 2-3 conference has been organized by an independent body appointed by Rajoelina.

Ravalomanana, who is in Swaziland ahead of a regional summit on Madagascar, has vowed he will make a political comeback on the Indian Ocean island nation.

Leaders at the African regional gathering were expected to adopt sanctions or other measures to pressure Rajoelina to step down. The Southern African Development Community has accused him of making an unconstitutional power grab.

The African Union has condemned Rajoelina and suspended Madagascar until it has a government elected through fair and transparent elections.

Western nations have also voiced concern at what critics say was a coup, with Washington cutting all non-humanitarian aid to the impoverished country.