ADDIS ABABA ? Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina threatened Friday to pull out of talks to end the nation's crisis as bickering by the main political foes blocked progress.

Rajoelina said he was unhappy that while his staying on transitional president had been approved by the international community, this provision has been called into question by some rivals at talks in the Ethiopian capital.

Late Thursday he walked out of a meeting at the headquarters of the African Union (AU), which is mediating in the talks, saying: "If they don't want me as president they're the ones who are to blame" for the talks stalling.

Madagascar's top four political players began discussions Tuesday in a fresh attempt to resolve the Indian Ocean island's political crisis.

Rajoelina, a 35-year-old former disc jockey, toppled President Marc Ravalomanana with the army's backing on March 17 but has since failed to win the recognition of the international community.

The coup came after months of sometimes violent demonstrations which left the island in diplomatic and institutional limbo, with parallel administrations claiming legitimacy.
Rajoelina, Ravalomanana and two other former presidents agreed in August to a 15-month transition period but have since sparred over the details of power-sharing.

The talks in Addis Ababa, which were supposed to end Thursday, have been prolonged by 24 hours.