LEAD: Madagascar's ousted president plans to return on Saturday

Jan 20, 2012, 12:18 GMT

Johannesburg - Madagascar's exiled former president, Marc Ravalomanana, says he will return home on Saturday, nearly three years after he was ousted in a military-backed coup.

'I am confident I can now return to my beloved country,' he said at a press conference on Friday in South Africa, where he has been living since 2009.

'I am going home to make peace, not war.'

The millionaire-businessman, told journalists he would on Saturday fly to the Indian Ocean island, which is now being led by his rival Andry Rajoelina.

Last year Ravalomanana made a similar bid to return home. He was however stopped at an airport in Johannesburg after Malagasy authorities threatened to prevent the plane from landing if he was on board.

The government has threatened to arrest him if he returned. He was tried in absentia and sentenced life in jail for the killing of protesters by troops during the riots that led to his downfall and the rise of Rajoelina, then mayor of the capital Antananarivo.

The ousted leader, who denies have given any unlawful orders, said he would seek to be elected again to office. He pledged to respect democratic principles if he was chosen to be president.

'If we want democracy we have to accept the rule of law and media freedom. I can promise I will do that,' Ravalomanana said in Johannesburg.

'I have not committed any of the crimes of which I am accused by the illegal regime,' he added, saying he was not afraid of being arrested.

In September most major political parties in Madagascar agreed on a so-called road map to stabilize the country and prepare it for elections. It also makes provision for the return of all exiles.