Antananarivo - Amid the power struggle on Madagascar, some 50,000 people staged a demonstration Wednesday to support embattled President Marc Ravalomanana.

The demonstration, held in a stadium in the capital, was peaceful as of noon, and took place despite efforts by rival politician Andry Rajoelina to prevent it.

Rajoelina's backers had urged people to stay at home and bring public life to a standstill.

On Tuesday, Rajoelina, 34, had announced the formation of a rival government to that of the 59-year-old Ravalomanana. Rajoelina made his announcement before a crowd of several thousand supporters Antananarivo.

While support for his campaign to oust Ravalomanana had begun to wane last week, the shooting dead by security forces of unarmed opposition supporters at the weekend has lent the movement new momentum.

Around 30 people were killed when guards opened fire without warning on an opposition rally outside the presidential palace.

The deaths brought to around 130 the number of Madagascans who have lost their lives in over two weeks of demonstrations, mostly during looting incidents.

Rajoelina, who is continuing to act as if mayor of Antananarivo despite being sacked last week by the government, has called for a suspension of all public activity in the city.

On Monday, both parties agreed in principle to accept the mediation of UN envoy Haile Menkerios, while continuing to accuse each other over Saturday's shooting.

Rajoelina holds Ravalomanana responsible for the use of lethal force to quell the protest. Ravalomanana blames Rajoelina for encouraging the demonstrators to break an exclusion zone around the palace. (dpa)