Johannesburg  - The Southern African Development Community on Thursday rejected Andry Rajoelina as Madagascar's interim president, saying the manner of his coming to power was "unconstitutional" and called on the international community to follow suit.

The 15-country regional economic grouping, of which Madagascar is a member, met in Swaziland to discuss Rajoelina's bloodless army- backed ouster of Marc Ravalomanana from the presidency this week.

After losing control of the government and the army, Ravalomanana, 59, gave up power on Tuesday to a military directorate, which in turn passed it to his arch-rival. Madagascar's constitutional court on Wednesday ruled that the double transfer was legal and that Rajoelina was the country's rightful interim leader.

In a communique, SADC, whose security panel is chaired by Swazi King Mswati III, said it "condemns in the strongest terms the unconstitutional actions that have led to the illegal ousting of the democratically elected president of a SADC member state."

"In the circumstances, SADC does not and cannot recognize Mr Rajoelina as president of Madagascar because his appointment not only violates the constitution of Madagascar and democratic principles but violates the core principles and treaty of SADC, the African Union and the United Nations charters."

SADC urged the "African Union and the international community not to recognize the appointment of Mr Rajoelina and to put pressure on the de facto authorities of Madagascar to return that country back to democratic and constitutional rule in the shortest time possible."

The United States has also called Rajoelina's elevation to the presidency "an undemocratic transfer of power."

The African Union's Peace and Security Council is meeting Friday to formulate its reaction.

Rajoelina swept to power this week after the army leadership took his side in his two-month power struggle with Ravalomanana, whom the opposition accused of authoritarianism and misuse of public funds. (dpa)