Madagascar

Talks on Madagascar's political impasse have opened in Addis Ababa with a plea for rival factions to put aside mutual animosities for the sake of the country's economic survival. The atmosphere was tense as leaders of Madagascar's four main political movements met for a fourth round of negotiations on formation of a transitional government. Madagascar's de-facto President Andry Rajoelina sat at one side of the large African Union plenary hall. The man he ousted as president earlier this year, Marc Ravalomana sat on the opposite side. There was no ceremonial handshake, not even a sign the bitter rivals recognized each other's presence. (VOA)