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Madagascar Leader Names Army Officer As Prime Minister

   Colonel  Vital  calls on the people of Madagascar, including political
   rivals, to work with his government

   VOA News 20 December 2009

   Madagascar's  leader,  Andry  Rajoelina, has named a high-ranking army
   officer as the country's new prime minister.
   Mr.  Rajoelina's  office  announced Sunday that Colonel Camille Albert
   Vital  would  serve  as  the  new  prime  minister,  replacing  Eugene
   Mangalaza, who was supposed to be prime minister under a power-sharing
   deal.
   In  a nationally broadcast address, Colonel Vital called on the people
   of   Madagascar,   including   political  rivals,  to  work  with  his
   government.
   On  Friday,  Mr.  Rajoelina  canceled  a  decree nominating university
   professor  Eugene Mangalaza as prime minister. Mr. Mangalaza was named
   to  the  post  as  part  of a failed power-sharing deal with political
   rivals.
   Mr.  Rajoelina  took  power  in  a  coup last March.  On Wednesday, he
   appeared  on  national  television to announce parliamentary elections
   would  take  place  March  20.   He  made  no  mention of presidential
   elections.
   International mediators have brokered several power-sharing agreements
   in recent months, but all have been unsuccessful.
   The  African Union and other regional bodies have refused to recognize
   Mr. Rajoelina's presidency.

   Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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