Rival groups gather in Madagascar

Tension remains high in Madagascar as church services are being held by pro- and anti-government groups.

On Saturday, police and security forces used tear gas and automatic weapons to break up an anti-government rally.

At least 30 people were injured - some from gun shots - as supporters of former president clashed with police in the capital Antananarivo.

Some 20,000 demonstrators were protesting for a sixth consecutive day against new leader Andry Rajoelina.

One church service is commemorating the killing of 28 people when former President Marc Ravalomanana's personal bodyguard opened fire on protesters in February.

On the other side of the capital Mr Ravalomanana's church is holding a religious ceremony at the national stadium to protest against his successor.

The BBC's Jonny Hogg in Antananarivo says some 20,000 people have turned up for that service. He says the atmosphere is peaceful.

Supporters of Mr Rajoelina have called for a civil service strike on Monday.

Mr Ravalomanana, who fled after he was toppled on 17 March, is in Swaziland ahead of Monday's meeting by regional leaders to discuss possible sanctions against Madagascar.

In a speech broadcast on private media, he urged his supporters to: "Keep going, consolidate your movement so that the entire world can know that we won't stop until the rule of law is re-established," reported AP news agency.

"I beseech you not to accept the repression that certain people want to impose, the division they want to create. We must show our unity, our solidarity."

International backlash
Mr Rajoelina's military-backed government has offered reconciliation talks early next month with allies of Mr Ravalomanana.

But members of the ousted leader's political party have not confirmed whether they would join the proposed dialogue.

The new government has come under increasing pressure from the daily protests and a growing international backlash against Mr Rajoelina's rise to power.

The African Union has already announced Madagascar's suspension, while the United States and European Union have described Mr Rajoelina's accession as a coup.

Mr Ravalomanana, 59, resigned after weeks of often violent street protests - led by his rival - in which around 100 civilians died.

Mr Rajoelina spent nearly two years as Antananarivo mayor.

Still six years too young to be president under the current constitution, he has promised new elections within two years after a new charter is adopted, but this has failed to satisfy donors.