An arrest warrant, on account of "embezzlement of public funds", has been issued by the Malagasy minister of justice Christine Razanamahasoa against former and exiled president Marc Ravalomanana. Media sources said that another arrest warrant over similar charges has been issued against the former minister of finance, Hajanirina Razafinjatovo, who has been described as a 'unshakable ally' of Ravalomanana's team. These measures come on the day after the exiled president, now in Swaziland, had nominated a new 'legal' prime minister and after his announcement that he wished to return to Madagascar to share power with his rival Andry Rajoelina, who took over the presidency. In a recent publics address, Rajoelina said that the state coffers are empty, denouncing the waste and kleptocratic tendency of the previous administration; in the recent months, marked by serious economic difficulties, the former opposition leader had often complained about Ravalomanana's spending, including that of an expensive presidential aircraft. [AB]