Oct. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Madagascar’s ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana said he wants a neutral government to take power and won’t accept Andry Rajoelina as the president of the country.

Ravalomanana, who lives in exile in South Africa, said in an interview in Johannesburg that he’s ready to attend crisis talks next week in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. He also called for an independent electoral commission and said elections may be held in November 2010.

Ravalomanana claimed to be the country’s legitimate leader and said the political crisis is damaging the economy. Talks among the parties to solve the crisis have included former presidents Albert Zafy and Didier Ratsiraka, in addition to Ravalomanana and Rajoelina.

Madagascar has been in political limbo since Ravalomanana was forced to resign as president in March following two months of protests by supporters of Rajoelina, in which more than 100 people died. Rajoelina was declared president with the support of the military, a move that led to the country’s suspension from the African Union and the 15-nation Southern African Development Community.

To contact the reporter on this story: Paul Richardson in Johannesburg at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 28, 2009 11:18 EDT