The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has called for calm in Guinea as a military-led group has seized control of the country's airwaves and declared a coup following the death of the nation's president.

The statement was read by Ban's deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe.

"At this time of transition the Secretary-General stresses the need for a peaceful and democratic transfer of power in accordance with the constitution.　He calls for calm and urges the armed forces and all stakeholders to respect the democratic process."

Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare insists that he remains in charge of the country.

Earlier on Tuesday, a group calling itself the National Council for Democracy began announcing its takeover on state-run radio and TV, just hours after president Lansana Conte's death was made public.

Conte, who was believed to be in his 70s, was only Guinea's second president since it gained independence from France half a century ago.