Madagascar`s president takes over; grenade blast kills child

Antananarivo: Madagascar`s new president Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who won the first elections since a coup in 2009, took office on Saturday but his inauguration was marred by an explosion that killed one person and wounded dozens after the ceremony.

The government said initial investigations showed the blast was caused by a grenade that was thrown near Mahamasina stadium where a musical show was taking place in the evening, hours after the inauguration there. "The new president had just been sworn in. We know the political situation. His inauguration may not have pleased everyone. That`s perhaps one of the reasons why this happened," said Arsene Rakotondrazaka, minister of internal security, who was at the scene. He said a child aged 12 was killed and 33 people were wounded, seven of them critically. Extra police were deployed afterwards in several parts of the capital. Rajaonarimampianina had earlier pledged to create an investment-friendly climate in the Indian Ocean island. The World Bank said on Friday the next step of forming a government was crucial and that a resumption of normal lending hinged on the appointment of a new prime minister.