Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana said he had made mistakes while dealing with the country's worsening political crisis.

"This political crisis has to stop. I am ready to listen. I am human and I made mistakes," he said on state television.

Ravalomanana said a two-day national conference to be held from Thursday would work to "find solution to the crisis."

More than 100 people have been killed since late January when anti-government protests led by former Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina erupted on the island.

Rajoelina evaded arrest by the security forces last week and took shelter in the French embassy, after a request from the UN.

In recent days, security forces have thwarted several attempts by opposition supporters to hold anti-Ravalomanana rallies.

Rajoelina accuses his rival of dictatorship.