ANTANANARIVO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Madagascan Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara transferred power to the new ministers of Decentralization Bezara Manasse and Interior Gervais Rakotonirina here on Thursday.

    The ceremony followed the decision by the Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana on Sunday when he separated into two different independent departments the Interior and Decentralization.

    The Ministry of Decentralization and Interior, which was held by Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara since Ravalomanana came to power in 2002, has been separated into the Ministry of Decentralization and the Ministry of Interior, while the security sector, which was just a department under the Ministry of Decentralization and Interior, was changed to a new ministry.

    The Ministry of Decentralization was led by Bezara Manasse, 50,former president of legal committees, territorial administration, defense and security in the Senate. The Interior Ministry was led by Gervais Rakotonirina, also 50. Rakotonirina graduated from the National School of Administration and was former Secretary General of the Ministry of Decentralization and the Interior.

    The Internal Security department was under Desire Rasolofomanana, former Secretary of State in charge of Internal Security within the Ministry of Decentralization and Interior.

    Minister to the Presidency in charge of Decentralization Bezara Manasse told the press that he would adopt a new manner of working within his department.

    The Interior Minister Gervais Rakotonirina said that the preparation of partial municipal elections and regional elections would be part of his priorities.