HIGHLIGHTS: Marc Ravalomanana Rejects OAU Proposal||OAU Freezes Madagascar Seat Until Dispute is Resolved|| Ravalomanana Accuses His Rival of Trying to Oust Him by Force|| STORY: African leaders meeting in Addis Ababa on Friday called for fresh elections in Madagascar to resolve an increasingly violent leadership crisis, but one of the two rival claimants to the presidency rejected their proposals.

A communiqué issued after a meeting of the Organization of African Unity's (OAU) conflict-solving body called on Marc Ravalomanana and Didier Ratsiraka to disband militias, take down roadblocks and stop all violence on the Indian Ocean island which has been split in two since disputed elections in December.

"The OAU stressed the need for a political and negotiated solution to the crisis through the holding with the assistance of the United Nations, the OAU, the EU (European Union) and the international community at large of free and fair elections to enable the people of Madagascar to chose their leader," the statement said.

Veteran ruler Ratsiraka told reporters he accepted the decision. "The OAU'S decision is much better to resolve the problem in Madagascar," he said.

His rival Ravalomanana did not attend the talks in Addis Ababa, but his delegation said they rejected the OAU's proposals.
"The decision is unfair. The OAU did not take into consideration the situation in Madagascar. We are against new elections and a referendum," Ravalomanana's vice Prime Minister Narisoa Rajaonarivony said.

Ravalomanana, a business tycoon, was declared president by a court last month after disputed December polls set off a violent, six-month struggle for power in which at least 70 people have died.

LEADERS SEEK SOLUTION

The heads of state of Zambia, Ethiopia, Senegal, Mozambique and Tanzania attended the OAU talks in Addis Ababa. Ministers from 12 other African nations were also present.

"It would be regrettable to stand by while Madagascar is bleeding. We do not have the luxury of time, we must act now," the chairman of the meeting, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, told the opening session.

The communiqué said the OAU had decided to leave Madagascar's seat at the organization vacant until the crisis was resolved.

Ratsiraka refused to accept the court ruling on the election outcome, saying he was rightful president of the island of 16 million people.

The two rivals have already tried and failed to patch up their differences at two meetings in Senegal since April.

Ratsiraka, who flew to Addis from France, left Madagascar on a surprise trip to Paris on June 14 as forces loyal to Ravalomanana took control of more territory on the huge island.

Relations between Ravalomanana and Ratsiraka, who ruled the island for more than 20 years, reached new lows this week following an attempt by alleged mercenaries to fly to the island from Paris.

France said it acted with African authorities to stop the plane flying on to Madagascar, saying the passengers had "suspect intentions." Ravalomanana accused his rival of trying to send the alleged fighters to try to topple him and said his government would try and bring them to book.

Ratsiraka on Friday denied hiring mercenaries.

Pro-Ravalomanana radio reported on Friday that more mercenaries were on their way to the east coast of the island.

PHOTO CAPTION

Madagascar's former president Didier Ratsiraka (L) answers journalists during a television interview at his home in Neuilly-sur- Seine, a suburb of Paris, Friday June 14, 2002 Last month Marc Ravalomanana(R) was declared the president by a Madagascan court after a disputed election in December, but the verdict was not accepted by the former President and his supporters. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
- Jun 14 4:09 PM ET