Turkmenistan's acting President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said that the country would stick to the policies of late President Saparmurat Niyazov, the Interfax news agency reported Friday.

The people of Turkmenistan would be loyal to the political lines set by Niyazov, who died early Thursday from a heart failure, Berdymukhamedov said on national television on Thursday night.

Turkmenistan would preserve its policy of neutrality and develop relations with other countries as good neighbors and friends and based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, he said.

The acting head of state promised his country would remain committed to its international obligations.

Berdymukhamedov, who had been deputy prime minister, was named Turkmenistan's acting president on Thursday.

Under Turkmenistan's constitution, elections for a new president will take place in about two months.

Source: Xinhua