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Deputy PM to lead Turkmenistan

Saparmurat Niyazov, the country's long-term leader, died on heart failure aged 66.

    Turkmenistan TV has announced a period of mourning for Saparmurat  Niyazov

    Berdymukhamedov said: "Turkmenistan will continue the policy of neutrality based on the principle of good neighborliness and mutual respect."


    "We will continue to go the political course of the great leader and will implement the domestic and foreign policy course of Turkmenistan's first president, which is based on peace-loving and humanism."


    Berdymukhammedov said the country's Popular Council, made up of more than 2,500 Turkmen  officials, would meet on Tuesday to set a date for a presidential  election and introduce presidential candidates.


    Turkmenistan in mourning

    Turkmenistan's government held an emergency meeting on Thursday, naming Berdymukhamedov, the deputy prime minister, to head a commission handling the president's funeral.
     According to the constitution, parliamentary president Ovezgeldy  Atayev was due to take over in the interim, but that plan was  modified after legal proceedings were suddenly brought against him  on Thursday.
    Personality cult
    In the capital, Ashgabat, workers removed holiday decorations and New Year's trees, and liquor shops were ordered shut.

    SOURCE: Agencies


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