Turkmenistan's security minister has vowed to maintain calm and stability in the Central Asian country following the death of President Saparmurat Niyazov, reports reaching here said on Saturday.

Niyazov, who died of a heart failure on Thursday, is scheduled to be buried on Sunday in his home village of Kipchak. Niyazov, who was also called Turkmenbashi (Father of All Turkmen), had led the energy-rich country since 1985.

In a statement published on Saturday, Turkmen Security Minister Lt. Gen. Geldimukhammed Ashirmukhammedov also promised to continue implementing policies set forth by Niyazov.

The statement said the National Security Ministry would "day and night stand guard on the achievements founded by Saparmurat Turkmenbashi the Great" and "vigilantly preserve the calm and happy life of our people and to support stable conditions within the country."

Source: Xinhua