Vote offer rejected in Madagascar

Madagascar opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has rejected President Marc Ravalomanana's offer of a referendum to solve the six-week political crisis.

The snub came as two blasts, suspected to have been mortars, were heard about 2km (1.2 miles) from the presidential palace in the capital Antananarivo.

It is not known who was responsible but a presidential spokesman said they were designed to intimidate his supporters.

At least 100 people have been killed since protests broke out in January.

The BBC's Jonah Fisher in the capital Antananarivo says the president's referendum offer is being seen by the opposition as a desperate last roll of the dice and has spurred them on to intensify their demands that he step down.

Mr Rajoelina says the president is a tyrant who misspends public money, while Mr Ravolamanana's supporters call his young rival a troublemaker.

On Saturday, Mr Rajoelina again told his rival to step down and declared himself president, appointing a "prime minister" and "transition government".

The African Union is due to hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss what it calls the "worsening situation" in Madagascar.