Madagascar’s former leader Marc Ravalomanana said on Wednesday that he would never accept Andry Rajoelina as president of the transition.

Security forces in Madagascar fired tear gas on Friday to try to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters gathering for a rally in the capital.

Political turmoil in Madagascar is likely to rock the island for months, stunting investment and prolonging an aid freeze.

Madagascan leader Andry Rajoelina on Tuesday unveiled a new Cabinet line-up billed as a unity government but already rejected by the opposition.

The armed forces in Madagascar on Friday rejected a call from the opposition to head a unity government and said politicians should resolve the crisis

Madagascar’s opposition on Thursday said the military should occupy the top three posts of a power-sharing government.

Crisis talks collapsed on Friday as Madagascar’s rivals failed to agree who should hold key posts in a transition government.

Madagascar’s political leaders were due to wrap up talks on Thursday on who should lead a transitional government.