Senior UN official in talks on resolving Madagascar political crisis

Amid reports of the continued political deadlock in Madagascar and an outbreak of violence, a senior United Nations official is taking part in talks on how to defuse the crisis, a UN spokesman said today in New York.

UN Assistant Secretary-General Ibrahima Fall, who has been involved with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in an effort to mediate the conflict, is participating in the talks in Dakar, Senegal, spokesman Fred Eckhard said. The discussions are being held in the margins of the current summit of African leaders on how to finance the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

Madagascar President Didier Ratsiraka and opposition leader Marc Ravaolomanana are holding talks separately with several African leaders, including President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal and OAU Secretary-General Amara Essy, Mr. Eckhard said.

According to media reports, Madagascar's high court has annulled the results of the disputed presidential election and violence has flared up in the island nation.