Johannesburg/Swaziland  - Southern African leaders suspended the membership of Madagascar in a regional organization for what they called the unconstitutional ouster of the island's president.

The leaders of the 15-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) at their special summit held in Swaziland urged the leader of Madagascar's transitional government Andry Rajoelina to step down.

The SADC said it refused to recognize the military-backed ouster, executive director Tomasz Salamao said early Tuesday, adding that Madagascar's democratically elected president Marc Ravalomanana, who stepped aside earlier this month under immense pressure from the army-backed opposition, must be reinstated.

The international community has condemned Ravalomanana's ouster and refused to recognize his arch-rival Rajoelina, a former mayor, as interim president, despite Madagascar's highest court confirming him in the role. (dpa)