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Madagascar court accepts Rajoelina as President

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-18 21:24

ANTANANARIVO - Madagascar's constitutional high court accepted opposition leader Andry Rajoelina as President of the island country on Wednesday, according to reports of agencies.

Madagascar's new president Andry Rajoelina greets his suppoters at Antananarivo city centre March 18, 2009. [Agencies]

The court confirmed in a radio address that it approved Rajoelina's replacement of outgoing President Marc Ravalomanana to exercise the powers of the president.

Related readings:  Madagascar President hands power to military  Madagascar's president resigns

At a mass gathering here, the former president of the High Constitutional court (HCC) Norbert Lala Ratsirahonana read a decree signed by the current HCC president Jean Michel Rajaonarivony, which legalized the presidency of Andry Rajoelina for a maximum of two years.

Rajoelina told thousands of his supporters that the scheduled African Union Summit would be held here on time in early July.