Police in southern Madagascar opened fire Thursday as a large group young people rioted and threatened to loot businesses.
Therewere conflicting reports as to deaths and injuries, but Thursday'sincident followed weeks of political tension and civil strife that haskilled more than 100 people in the island nation.
Thousands ofopposition supporters rallied in the capital, Antananarivo, onWednesday, defying a call from their leader Andry Rajoelina to stayhome.
Representatives of Rajoelina and of Madagascar'spresident, Marc Ravalomanana, opened talks earlier in the week aimed atcalming the unrest.
French Secretary of State for CooperationAlain Joyandet, who is trying to mediate between the factions, toldreporters Thursday that a dialogue is under way. He gave few details.
Tensionsbetween the two sides reached new heights Saturday, when securityforces fired at protesters marching on the presidential palace, killingat least 28 of them.
Rajoelina accuses the president of being adictator and has proclaimed himself Madagascar's new leader. He hasannounced members of a so-called transitional authority, including apartial cabinet.
The president says he remains in power.