Ex-Madagascar leader resurfaces

Marc Ravalomanana handed power to the military last week

The ousted Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana is in Swaziland for talks with the king, an official there said.

His whereabouts were unknown since he was forced from office a week ago by the military-backed young opposition leader Andry Rajoelina.

The African Union has suspended Madagascar over the "unconstitutional" change of government and threatened to impose sanctions.

It is not known how long Mr Ravalomanana plans to be in Swaziland.

Clifford Mamba, a foreign ministry official, said the ousted leader was holding talks with King Mswati III, who chairs a key regional committee.

"There can only be one issue that would be discussed and that is bringing peace in Madagascar," Mr Mamba told local newspaper, the Swazi Observer.

The former president's arrival in the country comes ahead of a meeting of regional leaders in South Africa later this month.

The heads of state of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will discuss possible sanctions on the Indian Ocean island unless constitutional order is restored.

Swaziland, along with Mozambique and Angola, makes up the defence, political and security divisions of the 15-nation body.