Deputy named Turkmen interim president

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Turkmenistan's deputy prime minister was named interim president Thursday, following the death of President Saparmurat Niyazov.

The country's Security Council chose Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov instead of the chairman of parliament, who is facing criminal charges, Itar-Tass reported. He was also chosen to supervise Niyazov's funeral.

A source in law enforcement in neighboring Kazakhstan told Interfax that Turkmenistan's military was put on alert after Niyazov's death.

Niyazov, a Communist functionary who survived the breakup of the Soviet Union, used the name Turkmenbashi or "leader of all Turkmen." Under his despotic regime, most citizens of Turkmenistan had little freedom and lived in poverty.