Rafsanjani Condoles Turkmen Nation

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran’s Expediency Council chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani extended his condolences to the Turkmen nation and government on the demise of that country’s President Saparmurat Niyazov.

In a message to the Turkmen Acting Vice-President, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, Rafsanjani expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the death of President Niyazov, and further stressed the point that the industrious efforts and resolve of the late Turkmen president had been a major factor contributing to the consolidation of relations between Iran and Turkmenistan.

He also praised Niyazov’s outstanding role in Turkmenistan’s development after the Central Asian republic gained independence, and said, “The farsightedness and constructive views of the late Niyazov underpinned development of cooperation between the two countries and further turned Iran-Turkmenistan ties into a model for regional states.”

Rafsanjani expressed his sympathy with the Turkmen nation, specially Niyazov’s family, and wished them patience.

The Turkmen leader passed away on Thursday at the age of 66.