After the recent deadlock in talks aimed at ending Madagascar's political crisis, and the constitution of a new civilian-military administration, the island's leader, Andry Rajoelina has announced in a surprise televised speech that he will not stand for the presidency.

The Mauritian newspaper, L'Express, reports that Rajoelina told the nation: "To bring an end to the longstanding unrest, I publicly declare that I will not be a candidate for the upcoming presidential elections."

Rajoelina seized power in March 2009. The international community has been trying ever since to return the country to constitutional rule. But the last attempt to do so, in talks in Pretoria earlier this month, failed after Rajoelina said he would not return to negotiations.

In his televised speech this week, he presented a road map for an eventual return to constitutional rule in Madagascar, comprising a national dialogue to debate the constitution, to be held from May 27 to 29. The country's 22 regions, 119 districts, its political parties, churches and other civil society organizations and military officials will be invited.

Rajoelina said a referendum on the constitution will be organized on August 12, legislative elections on September 30 and presidential elections on November 26.

He called on leaders to desist from "hampering the process" and on the international community to support the process so the country can find a solution to its crisis.

L'Express reported that the first international reaction has come from Paris, where the secretary of state for cooperation, Alain Joyandet, declared in a communiqué that Rajoelina's action has "placed Madagascar on a path back to constitutional order, and thus has the backing of the international community."

Article translated and adapted from the original French by Michael Tantoh.