France called Wednesday for "credible elections" in Madagascar to end a political crisis caused by the removal of former president Marc Ravalomanana a year ago.

"The key to an end to the crisis is in the organisation and holding of credible elections in the best timeframe possible," the foreign ministry said as development minister Alain Joyandet visited the island nation.

The African Union bloc this month imposed sanctions on the island's contested leader, former disc jockey Andry Rajoelina who removed Ravalomanana in March 2009 with the army's backing.

"France believes that the path of inter-Madagascar dialogue has not been exhausted," ministry spokesman Bernard Valero added.

Joyandet arrived in the country on Wednesday and held talks with Rajoelina, said a diplomatic source in Antananarivo.

He was also due to meet the former president and other political leaders.

Madagascar was plunged into a leadership crisis at the end of 2008 when Rajoelina began leading protests to oust Ravalomanana, accusing him of authoritarianism, corruption and trampling on basic freedoms.

Rajoelina signed accords in Maputo and Addis Ababa last year aimed at ending the political stalemate but has since been accused of not implementing the agreements, a charge that led to the African Union sanctions.