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Turkmenistan leader dies aged 66 Turkmenistan leader dies aged 66
(10 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 authoritarian president, Saparmurat Niyazov, who ruled the Central Asian country for 21 years, has died aged 66, state TV 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 Communist Party chief of what was then a Soviet republic in 1985 and was elected first president of independent Turkmenistan in 1991.
In 1999, he was made president-for-life by the country's legislative body.
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. Analysts say Mr Niyazov's legacy is grim. Education, healthcare and social programmes have all crumbled under his leadership.
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 Cult of personality
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.
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 Obituary: President Niyazov
Cities, an airport and a meteorite were given his name.
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.
His laws became increasingly personal. It was forbidden to listen to car radios or smoke in public, or for young men to wear beards.
An alleged assassination attempt in 2002 was used to crush his few remaining opponents.
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.