Antananarivo- Madagascar's interim leader Andry Rajoelina told the nation Tuesday evening he would not run for president of the troubled Indian Ocean island in 2010 elections if the country's three ex-presidents also pulled out.

Earlier this week, local media reported the Rajoelina, who toppled the island's democratically-elected president Marc Ravalomanana in March after weeks of street protests, had bowed out of the race.

Rajoelina clarified his stance, saying his TGV party was in negotiations with the parties of the three former presidents on an accord that would see them all refrain from seeking another term in October 2010.

The three are former dictator Didier Ratsiraka, who ruled for most of the period between 1975 and 2001, Albert Zafy, who served three years from 1993 to 1996 and Ravalomanana, who governed from 2002 until March.

Ravalomanana, who is in exile in southern Africa, has been drumming up support for a comeback bid. He is considered a likely candidate in the elections, in which event Rajoelina could also throw his hat in the ring.

A smiling Rajoelina, 34, said he was awaiting the other leaders' reaction to the proposed deal.

Rajoelina was sworn in as president of a transitional authority in March but the international community has refused to recognize his leadership, saying his power grab was unconstitutional.

The former mayor of the capital Antananarivo led seven weeks of street protests from January over Ravalomanana's clampdown on civil liberties and controversial spending decisions, in which around 150 people were killed.

Ravalomanana finally capitulated when a part of the army switched its support to Rajoelina. He handed over his powers to a panel of senior military officers, who promptly passed the baton to Rajoelina.

Since then, several Western donors have cut aid to the impoverished island of around 20 million subsistence farmers, which is again besieged by near-daily protests - this time by supporters of Ravalomanana.

Tourism, one of the island's biggest earners, has plummeted, taking the country to the brink of collapse.

The international community is pushing for the elections to be brought forward to this year and for Ravalomanana to be allowed return to the country.(dpa)