South Africa: Madagascar leaders "irresponsible"

(AP) PRETORIA, South Africa - Regional heavyweight South Africa says efforts to mediate a solution to Madagascar’s political crisis have been frustrated by the irresponsible behavior of the Indian Ocean island nation’s rival leaders.

South African deputy foreign minister Marius Fransman gave his blunt assessment before heading into a meeting Tuesday with factions from Madagascar, which has been in turmoil since President Marc Ravalomanana was toppled in 2009 in a coup led by Andry Rajoelina.

Fransman says a weekend attempt by Ravalomanana to fly home from his South African exile was premature, "unfortunate and it was irresponsible."

Fransman also says Rajoelina, who blocked Ravalomanana’s journey mid-flight Saturday, was irresponsible for threatening to arrest Ravalomanana.