Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov has died at aged 78 after suffering from a stroke, according to the report diplomatic sources told Reuters on Friday.
Reports says that the Uzbekistan government did not immediately confirmed the report, but only told reporters early Friday that health of Karimov had sharply deteriorated and in critical condition.
Karimov had ruled Uzbekistan since 1989, first as the head of the local Communist Party and then as president of the newly independent republic from 1991.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim became the first foreign leader to offer condolences over the death of Karimov. The two countries have close ethnic, cultural and linguistic ties.
Karimov did not designate a successor and analysts say the transition of power is likely to be decided behind closed doors by a small group of senior officials and family members.
If they fail to agree on a compromise, however, open confrontation could destabilize Uzbekistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan and has become a target for Islamist militants.
Uzbekistan is a major cotton exporter and is also rich in gold and natural gas. According to Reuters.
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