New York  - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called on all parties in troubled Madagascar to behave responsibly and carry out a "smooth transition through democratic means."

"This peaceful path can only be the result of transitional arrangement arrived at by consensus and enjoying wide support," Ban said in a statement.

The country's besieged President Marc Ravalomanana handed over power to Andry Rajeolina, who was backed by a mutinous group of soldiers in the capital Antananarivo, ending months of conflict between the two sides.

Ban said the UN and other organizations will remain engaged in helping achieve "a peaceful, consensual solution in Magadascar." (dpa)