Madagascar sentences ex-leader

Andry Rajoelina, the opposition leader who took over from Ravalomanana after leading protests against him, has called the former president corrupt and dictatorial.

He has established a transitional authority on the Indian Ocean island, and promised an election by 2010.

But many African nations have condemned his takeover as a coup and urged talks between the two rivals.

Ravalomanana is currently in South Africa, where he is seeking international support for a return to Madagascar.