New York, March 17, SPA -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesdaycalled on all parties in troubled Madagascar to behave responsiblyand carry out a "smooth transition through democratic means", according to dpa. "This peaceful path can only be the result of transitionalarrangement arrived at by consensus and enjoying wide support," Bansaid in a statement. The country's besieged President Marc Ravalomanana handed overpower to Andry Rajeolina, who was backed by a mutinous group ofsoldiers in the capital Antananarivo, ending months of conflictbetween the two sides. Ban said the UN and other organizations will remain engaged inhelping achieve "a peaceful, consensual solution in Magadascar."--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/645397