Madagascar general strike called off

It is unclear how many people have returned to work

The self-declared government of Madagascar's opposition leader has called an end to a general strike, which it launched in January to try to force incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka from office.

An aide to Marc Ravalomanana, Mr Ratsiraka's rival, urged public and private sector workers to return to work on Tuesday - although it is unclear how many have done so.

Mr Ravalomanana, who says he won December's elections outright, declared himself president last month.

He has mobilised huge protests and his supporters control the capital, Antananarivo, after seizing government ministries earlier this month.

Economic stranglehold

But the city is being choked by a blockade imposed by Mr Ratsiraka's supporters.

Ravalomanana declared himself president last month

They have set up a rival capital in the port-city of Tamatave, Mr Ratsiraka's stronghold, and put up roadblocks to try to starve Antananarivo of petrol and other essentials. .

President Ratsiraka says there should be a second round to determine who is president.

Correspondents say an end to the strike has been a key demand of Mr Ratsiraka's supporters for lifting the blockade.

Army split

France, the former colonial power, has called for the roadblocks to be lifted.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman in Paris also urged both sides to find a political solution to their increasingly violent power struggle, in which 20 people are thought to have been killed in recent weeks.

Madagascar's army urged the rival presidents to resolve their conflict. It remains divided between the two rivals.

A number of senior officers have pledged allegiance to Mr Ravalomanana, who has appointed a general, Jules Mamizara, as his defence minister.

But others, including Army Chief of Staff Ismael Mounibou, have continued to back Mr Ratsiraka.