ANTANANARIVO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Diplomatic mission based in Madagascar called for dialogue between political leaders of the Indian Ocean island country.

    In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the diplomatic mission, led by the United States Embassy here, urged President Marc Ravalomanana and his rival Andry Rajoelina, also mayor of the capital city, sit down for dialogue.

    "We are here to assist Madagascar and to promote a peaceful solution to end the crisis. But leaders have to take their responsibilities," said the statement, read by U.S. Ambassador Niels Marquardt.

    "We regret the continuation of the crisis, the apparent absence of dialogue, the heavy loss of lives and destruction of properties and infrastructure facilities," media quoted the ambassador as saying on Thursday.

    "Significant investment, jobs and partnerships in Madagascar, existing and in the future, will be increasingly threatened if the crisis continues," the statement warned.

    However, there have been no signs of possible dialogue between Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, leader of the opposition Tanora Gasy Vonona, or Madagascan Ready Youth party, due to existing big gap between the two main leaders of the current political crisis.

    Ravalomanana called for arrest of the nephew of former president Didier Ratsiraka, Rolland Ratsiraka, and the cabinet director of the mayor, Dolin Rasolosoa, who is also a general of the Antananarivo-based armed force, on the ground that they were the major figures behind the mass turmoil last Monday, which reportedly killed 34 people.

    The president also urged for restoration of security in the capital city and asked the mayor to tell all the truth behind the disturbance.

    The mayor called for democracy and free press and a lift of ban on all radio and television stations.

    Rajoelina also demanded release of all political prisoners, the set-up of an independent tribunal before dismiss of all senior justice officials, who are all members of the ruling Tiako I Madagasikara, or I Love Madagascar party.

    The mayor asked for fair and equal business opportunities for all rather than the present situation, in which the president controls nearly every profitable sector of the economy and market under his company, TIKO.

    He complained that, as a major of the capital city, he could not fulfill his mission due to various obstacles set by the government and the president.

    According to VIVA, the radio owned by Rajoelina which broadcast on Wednesday, he asked for resignation of the government officials though not necessarily the president himself.

    The mayor threatened to continue the strike, which began on Monday, before all of his demands were met.

    In another development, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner called for dialogue to find a peaceful solution between Ravalomanana and Rajoelina in a telephone call from Paris to several major figures of the current political crisis, including Ravalomanana, Rajoelina and Rolland Ratsiraka.

    France was committed to its friendship with Madagascar and the rule of law, and strictly remained its impartial position on the internal affairs of Madagascar, according to a broadcast by the private radio Antsiva on Thursday