New York  - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon decided Thursday to send an envoy to assess first-hand the "tense political situation" in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar.

Haile Menkerios, a UN assistant secretary general for political affairs, will "assess the situation in the country and explore what the United Nations could do to help avert further violence and contribute to peace and stability in Madagascar."

Menkerios will visit the country from Saturday to Wednesday for meetings with government officials, the UN said. Menkerios was sent to Zimbabwe last year to help resolve the political crisis.

Around 8,000 demonstrators marched through the capital of Madagascar Wednesday in support of Antananarivo ex-mayor Andry Rajoelina, who is embroiled in a bitter power struggle with President Marc Ravalomanana. (dpa)