Madagascan president consults with political leaders over current political crisis

ANTANANARIVO, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana has expressed his willingness to respond positively to the request of political leaders of his country amid the current political crisis facing the country.

Meeting political leaders allied to the ruling I love Madagascar party late on Friday, President Ravalomanana reminded Madagascans to be alert of the attempt to violate the constitution by the opposition.

The president promised to find a political solution to the on-going political crisis prevailing in the country.

"In a democracy, the majority opinion is dominant, but it does not mean the president will not listen to the minority," he said, adding that "the problem facing the island country now is that the minority wants to take over power".

According to Le Quotidien, a French-language daily published on Saturday, Ravalomanana called the meeting to seek opinions from the political leaders on the current political crisis, which began last December.

The president told the meeting that his government has the capacity to address the social and economic challenges facing the country and "We have to find political solutions to ensure that such events do not recur."

The paper quoted the participants as telling the president that they wanted respect for constitutional legality and the return to calm in the capital city and across the country in general.

They urged Ravalomanana to convene a bigger meeting with all political parties in Madagascar to strengthen democracy.

Rakotonirina Manandafy, chairman of Mpitolona ho amin'ny Fanjakan'ny Madinika (MFM) party, stressed the importance of dialogue between President Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, who was former mayor of the capital city.

Manandafy reminded Ravalomanana of the event in August 1991, when hundreds of former President Albert Zafy's supporters were killed by the troop guarding the palace of his predecessor Didier Ratsiraka on their way to force the resignation of Ratsiraka.

Manandafy asked the president to bring all political leaders under the Council of Christian Churches and to make some sort of agreement between the parties.

Chairman of the ruling party Randriasandratriniony Yvan, who is also chairman of the Senate, said that the opposition should wait for next elections to take power.

The current political crisis, the worst in years in Madagascar, started in December, when Ravalomanana ordered to close down the radio and television station run by Rajoelina.

Dozens of people have been killed in the riots since then.lets hope the that he finds a solution soon ..