Turkmenistan mourned former leader Saparmurat Niyazov today as it prepared to bury the dicatator who had ruled for two decades.
The death of Niyazov (66), who had fostered an extravagant personality cult and had himself elected president-for-life, left the gas-rich desert nation and the wider world speculating over who would replace him.
Niyazov, who crushed all dissent and kept his country of five million people isolated from outside influences, died suddenly early yesterday of a heart attack, leaving no obvious successor.
The capital Ashgabat appeared calm today with political leaders sending the message that Niyazov's policies would be continued.
But Turkmenistan-watchers forecast a turbulent period of transition as the West and Russia fight for influence in an ex-Soviet state whose gas reserves are important to Europe.
In a first sign that a succession battle was under way, security forces led by Defence Minister Agageldy Mamedgeldyev set up a special Security Council naming Deputy Prime Minister Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov as acting head of state.
The move violated the constitution, which requires the parliament chairman to take over. Government statements did not say who else was on the council.
Mr Berdymukhamedov, also health minister, is seen as a transition figure.
The government scheduled December 26th for the country's top representative body to meet to decide on the succession and set a date for elections. But there is no certainty that this will be the last word on who succeeds Niyazov in the long term.
Turkmenistan has never held an election judged fair by Western monitors.