Madagascar's security chiefs have rejected a call by southern African leaders to allow former president Marc Ravalomanana to return to the country.

A statement Tuesday by army chief General Andre Ndriarijaona and the heads of the police and gendarmerie said the former president's return would be destabilizing.

During a weekend summit, the Southern African Development Community urged Madagascar to allow Mr. Ravalomanana to return. The regional bloc issued the call after discussing ways to help restore democracy to Madagascar.

The former president has been living in South Africa since he was ousted in a coup in 2009.

Since then, the country has been ruled by military-backed President Andry Rajoelina.

Negotiations to resolve the political crisis have produced little, despite international pressure on Mr. Rajoelina and his government.