Madagascar: Annan urges parties to find negotiated solution to crisis

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has voiced deep concern at reports from Madagascar that candidate Marc Ravalomanana intended to proclaim himself president on 22 February avoiding the second round of presidential elections.

A spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement released on Thursday evening that the Secretary-General, who has been following very closely the situation in the country since the first round of presidential elections of 16 December 2001, rejected any attempts to take power outside of constitutional procedures.

'The Secretary-General calls on the parties to respect the agreement concluded under the auspices of the OAU and urges them to work within the framework of the recently established joint commission to find a negotiated solution to the crisis,' the statement said.

The results of the elections last December called for a second round of balloting.