Marc Ravalomanana

Madagascar's opposition leader says he will never stand in a run-off election and will continue to lead protests in the island nation, until he is declared president.

Opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana addressed a crowd of hundreds of thousands of supporters who filled the main square of Madagascar's capital of Antananarivo Wednesday. The nation is in the third day of a general strike called by the opposition to protest the outcome of last month's presidential election. The main airport and many businesses remain closed.

The opposition leader is coming under pressure from the international community to abide by a Constitutional Court order to hold a run-off election. The U.N. Security Council and the Organization of African Unity have expressed concern over the protests, which so far has remained peaceful. But Mr. Ravalomanana told his supporters Wednesday he does not fear international pressure or threats.

Mr. Ravalomanana, who is also Mayor of Antananarivo, says he won December's election outright and he has demanded the resignation of the government. He has rejected a Court ruling that no candidate was a clear winner in the election and accused election authorities of rigging the balloting in favor of President Didier Ratsiraka.

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