The United States says it will suspend non-humanitarian aid toMadagascar, saying this week's change in government there wastantamount to a coup d'etat.
U.S. State Department spokesmanRobert Wood announced the decision Friday. It is unclear how much aidin terms of U.S. dollars would be involved.
The U.S. decisionfollows similar responses by regional African groups after AndryRajoelina claimed the presidency of the island nation this week.
TheAfrican Union suspended Madagascar's membership, and the South AfricanDevelopment Community (SADC) is calling for sanctions on its leaders.
The AU took the action Friday, also calling the government takeover a coup.
EarlierFriday, the SADC said it will recommend sanctions against the coupleaders when the organization meets later this month.
The group said it will not recognize Mr. Rajoelina as Madagascar's new president, saying his takeover was unconstitutional.
The group said it will send its executive secretary, Tomaz Salomao, to Madagascar to meet with leaders there.
Madagascar is a member of both the AU and the SADC.
Meanwhile, Madagascar's new prime minister, Monja Roindefo, is denying the takeover was a coup.
Inan interview with the French news agency, AFP, Roindefo said it was a"direct expression of democracy, when representative democracy does notexpress itself through the institutions."
Mr. Rajoelina took power this week after protests and a loss of military support forced President Marc Ravalomanana to resign.
Mr.Rajoelina has said he will hold elections within 24 months - atimeframe that former colonial power France has criticized as too long.
Thenew president is a former disc jockey and mayor of the capital,Antananarivo. At 34, he is technically six years too young for thepresidency under Madagascar's constitution.