Foreign envoys shun Rajoelina inauguration

Madagascar's new strongman Andry Rajoelina announced the "end of dictatorship" as he took the oath of office in a ceremony marked by the absence of several foreign envoys who chose to censor what they call a "coup d'état".Jubilant supporters packed a stadium for the installation of Madagascar's army-backed new leader, Andry Rajoelina, on Saturday, but several foreign envoys stayed away in a show of censure. Music blasted out and army marksmen stood on roofs as the ceremony began in the 40,000-capacity sports arena of the sweltering capital, Antananarivo. The 34-year-old opposition leader took over this week after leading months of street protests against President Marc Ravalomanana. The unrest killed 135 people, scared away tourists and unsettled investors in the Indian Ocean island's fast-developing mining and oil sectors. Ravalomanana, 59, handed over to the military, who in turn conferred power on Rajoelina to be president. In the strongest expression of widespread international disapproval, the African Union (AU) suspended Madagascar. Major Western powers including the United States and the European Union have termed Rajoelina's rise a coup d'etat and called for early elections. Several nations have suspended aid. Africa's youngest and newest president is carefully calling himself "president of the transitional authority" because of the questions over the legality of his rise to power.