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Turkmenistan leader dies aged 66 Turkmenistan leader dies aged 66
(20 minutes later)
Turkmenistan's President Saparmurat Niyazov, who ruled the gas-rich Central Asian country for 21 years, has died aged 66, state television has reported.Turkmenistan's President Saparmurat Niyazov, who ruled the gas-rich Central Asian country for 21 years, has died aged 66, state television has reported.
He died at about 0110 local time (2010 GMT Wednesday) of a sudden cardiac arrest, it was announced.He died at about 0110 local time (2010 GMT Wednesday) of a sudden cardiac arrest, it was announced.
Mr Niyazov became the then-Soviet republic's Communist Party chief in 1985 and was elected first president of independent Turkmenistan in 1991.Mr Niyazov became the then-Soviet republic's Communist Party chief in 1985 and was elected first president of independent Turkmenistan in 1991.
Last month, the president publicly acknowledged he had heart disease.Last month, the president publicly acknowledged he had heart disease.
In 1999 the supreme legislative body, the Mejlis, made him president-for-life.In 1999 the supreme legislative body, the Mejlis, made him president-for-life.
SAPARMURAT NIYAZOV In power of the former Soviet state since 1985Made president-for-life in 1999Established a cult of personality and tolerated no dissent Styled himself Turkmenbashi, or Leader of all TurkmensPublicly acknowledged he took medicine for a heart condition SAPARMURAT NIYAZOV In power of the former Soviet state since 1985Made president-for-life in 1999Established a cult of personality and tolerated no dissent Styled himself Turkmenbashi, or Leader of all TurkmensPublicly acknowledged he took medicine for a heart condition href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6199021.stm" class="">Obituary: President Niyazov
During his reign, Mr Niyazov established a cult of personality in which he was styled as Turkmenbashi, or Leader of all Turkmens.During his reign, Mr Niyazov established a cult of personality in which he was styled as Turkmenbashi, or Leader of all Turkmens.
He renamed months and days in the calendar after himself and his family, and ordered statues of himself to be erected throughout the desert nation.He renamed months and days in the calendar after himself and his family, and ordered statues of himself to be erected throughout the desert nation.
Mr Niyazov was intolerant of criticism and allowed no political opposition or free media in the nation of five million people.Mr Niyazov was intolerant of criticism and allowed no political opposition or free media in the nation of five million people.
All candidates in the December 2004 parliamentary elections, at which there were no foreign observers, were his supporters.All candidates in the December 2004 parliamentary elections, at which there were no foreign observers, were his supporters.
Analysts say Turkmenistan, a mostly Muslim nation with large oil and gas resources, faces an uncertain future after Mr Niyazov's death, as there are no clear successors.Analysts say Turkmenistan, a mostly Muslim nation with large oil and gas resources, faces an uncertain future after Mr Niyazov's death, as there are no clear successors.