Madagascar President Visits France

PARIS, April 19 (Xinhuanet)

Madagascar outgoing President Didier Ratsiraka arrived here on Friday for a several-day private visit, announced the Madagascar Embassy.

"No political meetings are planned for Mr. Ratsiraka during hisstay in Paris," the French Foreign Ministry announced.

Ratsiraka arrived from Senegalese capital of Dakar where he signed a peace deal with his rival, self-declared president Marc Ravalomanana, on Thursday.

He is in France for medical examinations of his wife Celine, said Agence France-Presse (AFP), citing Madagascar sources.

In the agreement signed on Thursday, a recounting of last December's presidential ballots will be organized to decide whether Ratsiraka or Ravalomanana has won the election.

A previous counting said neither got the majority, with which Ravalomanana disagreed. He declared himself president in February and has taken control of the capital of Antananarivo ever since.

In the event that no one wins following a new counting, a referendum will be held to let the Madagascar people choose between the two; and before the eventual referendum, a transitional government of reconciliation will be set up under international supervision. Enditem