Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul left here Saturday for Turkmenistan to attend the funeral of the deceased Turkmenistan's President Saparmurat Niyazov, which is to be held on Dec. 24, local media reported.

Prior to his departure for Turkmenistan, Gul told reporters at Ankara's Esenboga airport that his country shares the sorrow of Turkmen people over the demise of Niyazov, noting that Turkish people will always support Turkmenistan.

"We attach importance to a peaceful transition process in Turkmenistan," said Gul, adding that "We wish that the new Turkmen administration will create the necessary political, economic and social conditions for Turkmen people."

Meanwhile, he disclosed that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to leave for Turkmenistan Saturday night to attend Niyazov's funeral.

Niyazov, died of a sudden heart failure on Thursday at the age of 66 after more than two decades in power. His funeral is to be held on Dec. 24 in his hometown of Kipchak.

Source: Xinhua