The President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, has been reported dead.
Karimov, 78, has been at the helm of the Central Asian nation for close to three decades, and only won another term in office in elections held last year, garnering over 90% of votes cast in the widely criticised elections.
He reportedly suffered a stroke last week.
The state tv channel announced the news late Friday, with a broadcaster saying: “Dear compatriots, it is with huge grief in our hearts that we announce to you the death of our dear president.”
The government has confirmed that he would be buried in his hometown of Samarkand Saturday.
Lola Tillyaeva, one of the late President’s daughters, also confirmed the news on Instagram.
“he has left us … I am choosing my words, and cannot believe this”. she wrote, accompanied by a blank photo.