Transitional Rule Urged for Island Nation

A group of African nations suggested that Madagascar’s president and the main opposition leader set up a transitional government to end a standoff over disputed election results that has thrown the island nation into political chaos.

The nation, off the southeast coast of Africa, has been in turmoil since its Dec. 16 elections.

Official results showed neither President Didier Ratsiraka nor opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana won an outright majority and that there should be a runoff.

The plan by the Organization of African Unity calls for an interim administration that would rule for a maximum of six months and organize another vote, which the group would help supervise and monitor.