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.

    "The Secretary-General has learned of the sudden death of Turkmen President Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov. President Niyazov made important contributions to United Nations peace processes in Tajikistan and Afghanistan," Annan said in a statement issued by his spokesman.

    He also extended his condolences to the family of the late President and people of Turkmenistan.

    Niyazov, 66, died of a sudden heart failure at 1:10 a.m. local time, Turkmenistan's state television reported.