Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov attends a government meeting in Ashgabat in this December 27, 2002, file picture. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

Deputy PM named Turkmenistan's interim president

    ALMATY, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has been named interim president after the death of Saparmurat Niyazov early Thursday, the country's national security council announced.

Bush expresses sadness over Turkmenistan president's death

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush expressed his sadness over the death of Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov, National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Thursday.

Russia hopes for orderly succession of power in Turkmenistan

    MOSCOW, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia hopes for a legal succession of power in Turkmenistan following the demise of Saparmurat Niyazov, president of Turkmenistan, who died on Thursday at the age of 66, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

EU hopes for smooth succession in Turkmenistan after president's sudden death

    BRUSSELS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission expressed the hope on Thursday that the succession process in Turkmenistan would be orderly after the sudden death of President Saparmurat Niyazov.

Annan pays tribute to Turkmenistan's President Niyazov

    UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday extended condolences to the people of Turkmenistan on the death of President Saparmurat Niyazov and paid tribute to his contribution to UN peace efforts in Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

A soldier stands guard by a fountain topped by a golden statue of Turkmenistan's President Saparmurat Niyazov in Ashgabat in this Feb. 19, 2004 file photo.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>