The rival political parties in Madagascar have reached an agreement on the division of posts in a unity government. Andrey Rajoelina, who seized power in a coup d'etat in March, will retain the presidency.

Negotiators say that former president Mark Ravalomanana, who was toppled by the March coup, accepted the agreement on condition that Mr Rajoelina not stand at the next presidential election. The coup plunged the Indian Ocean island into months of political turmoil and international donors suspended hundreds of millions of euros of aid to the country.
 

The international community refused to recognize Mr Rajoelina's presidency. In August, African Union reconciliation efforts led to an agreement on a unity government and elections in 2010.