The African Union (AU) has welcomed the appointment of Mr Christian Ntsay as Madagascar's new Prime Minister.

The AU High Representative to Madagascar, Mr Ramtane Lamamra, said the union was eager to see the return of stability and peace to the island state.

Mr Lamamra, whose tour of duty to Madagascar has come to an end, said the AU was looking forward to the appointment of a unity Cabinet in the coming days.

He has been in Antananarivo since May 27, on a secondment by the AU Commission Chairman, Dr Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Oath of office

Mr Lamamra several times held talks with the embattled President Hery Rajaonarimampianina and other political players, including former presidents Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina.

Mr Ntsay is expected to take the oath of office on Wednesday, according to unofficial source.

Local observers suspected the hands of the international community in his appointment on Monday, following the resignation of Mr Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana.

"I have named Christian Ntsay, an experienced man with the skills necessary for reconciliation, as prime minister," said President Rajaonarimampianina at a media conference on Monday afternoon.

Electoral process

Mr Solonandrasana tendered his resignation on Monday morning in respect of a May 25 court order.

The Constitutional Court had ordered the nomination of a new prime minister by June 12.

Madagascar hopes to hold a General Election this year and Mr Ntsay's main task is to ensure a credible electoral process.

Mr Ntsay was since 2008 the International Labour Organisation (ILO) representative to Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.

He is the fourth PM named by President Rajaonarimampianina since his inauguration on January 25, 2014.