Statement by the Press Secretary/ Director-general for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Political and Security Situation in the Republic of Madagascar

February 10, 2009

Japan expresses its concern about recent political violence between supports of the President and those of the Mayor of Antananarivo and about a large number of victims of such violence. In particular, more than 30 people were killed in the incident which took place between demonstrators supporting the Mayor and the President’s guards in Antananarivo on February 7. Japan extends its sincere condolences to those who were killed and to their families.
Japan strongly expects that all the parties concerned exercise self-restraint and make further efforts to resolve their differences peacefully through dialog.

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