Madagascar's transitional president transfers power to president elect

Madagascar's transitional president Andry Rajoelina transferred power to the president elect Hery Rajaonarimampianina on Friday. Arriving at the state palace of Iavoloha without presidential car but with a simple 4X4, Rajoelina held his last military review before a 10-minute close-door meeting with his successor Hery. Then they moved to the ceremony building inside Iavoloha state palace where 1,600 guests already waited for him. "The five years of transition were particularly difficult for the country and for the Malagasy people. However, we were able to organize the presidential election. Madagascar is a model of democratic power transfer. The country did not go into the trap of a civil war," Andry Rajoelina said during his speech in a ceremony attended by chiefs of institutions, diplomatic corps and supporters of the outgoing and the incoming presidents. Andry Rajoelina said "searching the interests of the Malagasy people is more important than thirst for power. Malagasy people want to move towards change and development they aspired." "I become again a simple Malagasy citizen from tomorrow, but do not forget I'll never be far away," Rajoelina said. "I bless you to succeed your difficult task of leading Madagascar," Rajoelina told Hery Rajaonarimampianina before wishing "in any decision, you will prioritize the interest of the nation and of the Malagasy population." Rajoelina expressed his appreciation to the mediators of Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the international community for their help to solve the crisis in Madagascar. He also asked a special applause to thank the armed forces for their role during the transition. To mark the power transfer, Rajoelina gave a big key around one meter of long to his successor. Backed by the military, Rajoelina arrived in power in March 2009 when Marc Ravalomanana, president from 2002 to 2009, gave up his presidency to a military directorate, which transferred the power to Rajoelina. He will be replaced by his former finance minister Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who was declared winner of the presidential run-off held throughout Madagascar on Dec. 20 with 53.49 percent of votes against 46.51 percent of Jean Louis Robinson Hery Rajaonarimampianina, 55, is the 8th elected president and the 11th Chief of States in Madagascar since its independence in 1960. He will be sworn in as president of republic of Madagascar on Saturday.