The United States reaffirms its support for the people of Uzbekistan amid the death of the country’s long-time leader Islam Karimov, US President Barack Obama said in a statement on Friday, Sputnik reported.
The Uzbek authorities announced in a televised statement earlier on Friday that Karimov, 78, died in a hospital after suffering a stroke last week.
"As Uzbekistan begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to partnership with Uzbekistan, to its sovereignty, security, and to a future based on the rights of all its citizens," Obama stated.