Madagascar's new leader, Andry Rajoelina, will decline to stand in the country's next presidential election only if all previous heads of state do likewise.
Rajoelina, who ousted former president Marc Ravalomanana in March and is currently head of a transitional authority, made this clear at a news conference at the Ambohitsorohitra presidential palace on Wednesday, reports the Antananarivo newspaper, L'Express de Madagascar.
The report comes a day after the paper reported Rajoelina's willingness to give up power after an election scheduled for 2010.
L'Express reported Thursday that Rajoelina's clarification contrasted with the impression he gave foreign diplomats at an earlier meeting.
On Wednesday, Rajoelina made public the content of a draft agreement presented by the transitional authority to political parties which included a clause stipulating that former heads of state should not stand as a candidate in the 2010 election.
"But this agreement has not been accepted yet," he said. "I cannot engage in it alone. I await the answer of former heads of state."
He indicated that one particular individual was acting as a stumbling block but did not identify who among the four previous heads of state it was.
The position of Prime Minister Monja Roindefo remains uncertain, reports L'Express. He refused to be drawn into the issue, indicating only that his priority is to work with the transitional authority to pave the way for democratic elections.
In another report, the newspaper said Ravalomanana had told his supporters in a telephone call from South Africa on Wednesday that he will be returning to Madagascar to restore democracy and the rule of law.
He indicated that he is aware of calls for his return and will do so as soon as security measures being put in place by the Southern African Development Community and the rest of the international community are ready.
Report based on L'Express reports translated by Michael Tantoh.
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