COMESA, a 19-member organisation condemned the military-backed opposition revolt which ousted Madagascar’s leader Marc Ravalomanana in March by Andry Rajoelina .

"We welcome and agreed, as pronounced by the AU, to support SADC as they take a lead in efforts to restore constitutional order in Madagascar by examining all options, including the possibility of military intervention," COMESA said.

Ravalomanana, at the weekend told the Zimbabwean press that he still believes that one day he would regain his presidency after his ouster in March.

"It was a coup. I’m sure COMESA will make a commitment so that I get my country back...People of Madagascar are suffering. The illegal government is bad and the situation is deteriorating every day. We have to follow rules of democracy."

The resolution surprised most delegates who felt that the economic bloc should "limit its scope to trade issues".

During his stay in Victoria Falls, Ravalomanana had high security around him befitting a full head of state.

Ravalomanana, who is exiled in South Africa, was at the summit in Victoria Falls to drum up more support after winning the backing of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).

The SADC and the AU both suspended Madagascar after Rajoelina, a former disc jockey, ousted Ravalomanana and took over power with the help of renegade soldiers.