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Turkmenistan announces new leader Turkmenistan announces new leader
(20 minutes later)
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has been declared the winner of Turkmenistan's presidential elections.Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has been declared the winner of Turkmenistan's presidential elections.
Mr Berdymukhamedov won an overwhelming 89% of the vote in Sunday's poll, the central election commission has said.Mr Berdymukhamedov won an overwhelming 89% of the vote in Sunday's poll, the central election commission has said.
He will shortly be inaugurated at a ceremony in the capital Ashgabat, attended by US and Russian officials.He will shortly be inaugurated at a ceremony in the capital Ashgabat, attended by US and Russian officials.
Mr Berdymukhamedov was the favourite to win the poll, which was called after the death of autocratic President Saparmurat Niyazov in December.Mr Berdymukhamedov was the favourite to win the poll, which was called after the death of autocratic President Saparmurat Niyazov in December.
Human rights groups, Western diplomats and exiled Turkmen opposition leaders have condemned the election as rigged, because no opposition candidates were allowed to stand.Human rights groups, Western diplomats and exiled Turkmen opposition leaders have condemned the election as rigged, because no opposition candidates were allowed to stand.
Oil-rich nation Oil-rich
The announcement of Mr Berdymukhamedov's victory came during a meeting of Turkmenistan's legislative body, the People's Council.The announcement of Mr Berdymukhamedov's victory came during a meeting of Turkmenistan's legislative body, the People's Council.
"The people have confided their destiny in you," the head of the country's electoral commission, Murad Karryev, told Mr Berdymukhamedov."The people have confided their destiny in you," the head of the country's electoral commission, Murad Karryev, told Mr Berdymukhamedov.
The former dentist, and interim leader since Mr Niyazov's death, will be sworn into office in the next few hours.The former dentist, and interim leader since Mr Niyazov's death, will be sworn into office in the next few hours.
The festivities are set to continue with a military parade on the main square in Ashgabat.The festivities are set to continue with a military parade on the main square in Ashgabat.
Leaders and senior diplomats from major world powers and around Central Asia are attending the event, including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher.Leaders and senior diplomats from major world powers and around Central Asia are attending the event, including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher.
Foreign officials have spoken of the need to maintain stability in the energy-rich nation. Turkmenistan has large reserves of natural gas, and could play a key role in plans to build an energy corridor from Central Asia to Europe.Foreign officials have spoken of the need to maintain stability in the energy-rich nation. Turkmenistan has large reserves of natural gas, and could play a key role in plans to build an energy corridor from Central Asia to Europe.
Q&A: Turkmenistan votes
Mr Niyazov's unexpected death caused consternation in Turkmenistan, because he left no designated successor.Mr Niyazov's unexpected death caused consternation in Turkmenistan, because he left no designated successor.
He ruled for 21 years, tolerating no dissent as he crafted an elaborate personality cult, reduced spending on education and health care, and isolated his country from the outside world.He ruled for 21 years, tolerating no dissent as he crafted an elaborate personality cult, reduced spending on education and health care, and isolated his country from the outside world.
Hint of change
Voters in Sunday's polls were offered the choice of six men to take over from Mr Niyazov, all members of the ruling - and only - political party.Voters in Sunday's polls were offered the choice of six men to take over from Mr Niyazov, all members of the ruling - and only - political party.
Despite condemning the election as rigged due to the lack of opposition candidates, analysts say there are signs that the new leadership may be willing to introduce some changes - albeit slowly.Despite condemning the election as rigged due to the lack of opposition candidates, analysts say there are signs that the new leadership may be willing to introduce some changes - albeit slowly.
Mr Berdymukhamedov has already called for a re-organisation of the education system, greater internet access and bigger pensions.Mr Berdymukhamedov has already called for a re-organisation of the education system, greater internet access and bigger pensions.
He has also suggested that another political party might eventually be allowed to exist.He has also suggested that another political party might eventually be allowed to exist.
The International Crisis Group says there are hints that the new leadership might also be considering relaxing the political repression exercised under Mr Niyazov.The International Crisis Group says there are hints that the new leadership might also be considering relaxing the political repression exercised under Mr Niyazov.
The group said there were unconfirmed reports that two former ministers had been released from prison, and that some officials were discussing whether to review the cases of other political prisoners.The group said there were unconfirmed reports that two former ministers had been released from prison, and that some officials were discussing whether to review the cases of other political prisoners.