Russian news agencies say Uzbekistan's parliament has appointed Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyaev as interim president following the death of strongman leader Islam Karimov, RFE/RL reports.
Interfax and Ria Novosti report that both houses of Uzbekistan's parliament made the decision at a joint session on Thursday, September 8.
According to Uzbekistan’s constitution, the head of the upper chamber of parliament, the Senate, would assume presidential authority for a period of three months if the president dies or is unable to perform duties.
The Senate chairman is Nigmatulla Yuldashev, who has held the post since January 2015.
It’s not clear whether the date for the presidential election will also be announced during the parliament session.
Karimov, who had ruled Uzbekistan with an iron fist since 1989, died from a stroke at the age of 78.
He was buried in his hometown of Samarkand on September 3, a day after authorities officially announced his death.
