Antananarivo  - Protests continued on the tropical island of Madagascar on Saturday, with the military using tear gas in the capital Antananarivo against a demonstration by nearly 30,000 supporters of ousted former president Marc Ravalomanana.

The protesters had earlier called for a general strike for Monday and a tax boycott to protest the new interim government led by Andry Rajoelina, who was brought to power after seven weeks of violence.

Ravalomanana is currently in Swaziland, where the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will meet on Monday to discuss possible sanctions against Madagascar.

SADC has condemned Rajoelina's arrival to power as "unconstitutional" and is refusing to recognize him as interim president, as is much of the international community. The African Union has suspended Madagascar's membership. (dpa)