Madagascar leader to be sworn in

The army handed power to Andry Rajoelina

Madagascar's new leader, Andry Rajoelina, who ousted elected President Marc Ravalomanana this week, is due to be formally sworn in as president.

But the ceremony at the main sports stadium in the capital, Antananarivo, is to be hit with a diplomatic boycott.

The US cut off non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar and the African Union suspended Madagascar on Friday. The EU also condemned the power grab.

Madagascar's constitutional court this week approved the handover of power.

"The ambassadors to the US, France, Germany and the European Union have told us they won't be attending," an aide to the deposed Mr Ravalomanana told Reuters new agency.

Mr Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former disc jockey, has suspended parliament and set up two transitional bodies to run the country.

The former Antananarivo mayor says he now wants to change the constitution, which at presents bars him from contesting presidential elections, as he is six years too young.

Washington called Tuesday's takeover a "coup" while the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has threatened sanctions against Madagascar.

There is still no word on the whereabouts of Mr Ravalomanana, whose re-election to a second term in 2006 could not save him from being ousted.

At least 100 people died in Madagascar during several months of violent protests and looting, triggered by the power struggle between Mr Ravalomanana and Mr Rajoelina.