The leaders of Madagascar's rival factions are holding the first talks for months on the country's political crisis.

Ousted president Marc Ravalomanana and his successor Andry Rajoelina are meeting in the capital of Mozambique, Maputo. The talks are scheduled to last till Saturday and are being brokered by former Mozambique president Joaquim Chissano.

Andry Rajoelina, then opposition leader, seized power in March in a coup widely condemned by the international community. Madagascar was quickly isolated and the Southern African Development Community was one of the organisations to impose sanctions. Talks to try and resolve the crisis began, but stalled because of issues such as whether new elections should be held.

photo: Andry Rajoelina (ANP)