Antananarivo, Madagascar  - African Union (AU) envoy Amary Essy said he was sceptical a quick and peaceful solution to the armed conflict on Madagascar was possible, news reports said Wednesday.

Essy expressed his concerns after meeting with Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina, the self-appointed president of an opposition interim government on the island, the newspaper L'Express said.

The AU envoy had travelled to the island, where a summit of the regional gathering is planned for early July, in February to assess the situation.

The organization also dispatched its Commissioner for Peace and Security Lamamra Ramtane to Madagascar to help find a solution to return the opposing factions to the negotiating table.

Increasing tension was reported from opposition-held Ambositra, 250 kilometres south of Antananarivo. According to media reports, the city has been almost completely cut off from the rest of the country since the beginning of the week.

Supporters of Rajoelina's opposition movement blocked roads leading in and out of the city, and cut off ties to the port town Tulear in the south-west of the country.

The protestors demand the resignation of provincial head Rene Rasolofoarimanana, an "accomplice" of Ravalomanana.

A general strike was almost unversally supported in the town, said Mamy Josoa, on of its main organizers.

More than 100 people have been killed and scores injured in a month of mostly peaceful opposition demonstrations nationwide aimed at toppling Ravalomanana. (dpa)