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Turkmen assembly to set poll date Turkmen assembly sets poll date
(about 3 hours later)
Turkmenistan's top legislative body is preparing to meet to set the date for elections following the death of President Saparmurat Niyazov. Turkmenistan's top legislative body has agreed to hold presidential elections on 11 February following the death of President Saparmurat Niyazov.
Mr Niyazov - who styled himself as the Father of All Turkmen - died last Thursday, leaving no political heir and raising fears of instability. The People's Assembly also said Deputy PM Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov would take over the presidency till then.
Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has been named acting president. The council was also due to nominate candidates for the elections.
Thousands paid their respects at Mr Niyazov's funeral on Sunday. Mr Niyazov - who styled himself as the Father of All Turkmen - died on Thursday, leaving no political heir and raising fears of instability.
Buses have been carrying delegates of the People's Council into the capital, Ashgabat, from all over the country for the meeting, which is due to begin at 1400 local time (0900 GMT). The 2,500-member strong council of clan elders and local government officials voted unanimously to fix the date of the presidential elections.
The 2,500-member strong council of clan elders and local government officials is expected to fix a date for presidential elections and nominate candidates. The delegates travelled to the capital, Ashgabat, from all over the country for the meeting.
Mr Berdymukhamedov said all presidential candidates must follow the path set by Mr Niyazov.
However, exiled Turkmen political figures have vowed to overthrow any new leader who does not introduce reforms.However, exiled Turkmen political figures have vowed to overthrow any new leader who does not introduce reforms.
They have said the opposition will soon announce a single, jointly chosen presidential candidate.They have said the opposition will soon announce a single, jointly chosen presidential candidate.
They have also urged Western nations and those of the former Soviet Union to help bring about democratic presidential elections.They have also urged Western nations and those of the former Soviet Union to help bring about democratic presidential elections.
New Year cancelledNew Year cancelled
On Sunday, people filed past Mr Niyazov's body as it lay in state in the presidential palace in Ashgabat.On Sunday, people filed past Mr Niyazov's body as it lay in state in the presidential palace in Ashgabat.
Some of the thousands of people who came to pay their respects appeared grief-stricken by the death of their leader.Some of the thousands of people who came to pay their respects appeared grief-stricken by the death of their leader.
Many bowed and carried flowers, and some people wept openly as they approached his coffin.Many bowed and carried flowers, and some people wept openly as they approached his coffin.
Heads of state from across Central Asia, and high-ranking delegations from elsewhere attended the ceremonies.Heads of state from across Central Asia, and high-ranking delegations from elsewhere attended the ceremonies.
A tank carried Mr Niyazov's coffin away from the palace and to the village of his birth outside Ashgabat, where he was buried.A tank carried Mr Niyazov's coffin away from the palace and to the village of his birth outside Ashgabat, where he was buried.
Flags in Turkmenistan are flying at half-mast for a week of mourning, shops and restaurants were closed and New Year celebrations have been cancelled.Flags in Turkmenistan are flying at half-mast for a week of mourning, shops and restaurants were closed and New Year celebrations have been cancelled.
Personality cultPersonality cult
During two decades of rule, President Niyazov wielded absolute power and fostered a cult of personality around himself and his family.During two decades of rule, President Niyazov wielded absolute power and fostered a cult of personality around himself and his family.
He was accused of jailing or exiling his political opponents, creating no functioning political institutions and leaving no obvious successor.He was accused of jailing or exiling his political opponents, creating no functioning political institutions and leaving no obvious successor.
He erected golden statues of himself, banned beards and ballet and renamed January after himself and April after his mother.He erected golden statues of himself, banned beards and ballet and renamed January after himself and April after his mother.
Ruhnama, the book he wrote, became the cornerstone of Turkmenistan's education and legal systems. Reading it regularly, Mr Niyazov told his people, would secure them a place in heaven.Ruhnama, the book he wrote, became the cornerstone of Turkmenistan's education and legal systems. Reading it regularly, Mr Niyazov told his people, would secure them a place in heaven.
His pictures were on display at all street corners, his political opponents were either in jail or exiled, and he formed the basis of the system he had created.His pictures were on display at all street corners, his political opponents were either in jail or exiled, and he formed the basis of the system he had created.