WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier on Friday, the government of Uzbekistan confirmed that President Karimov died at age 78.
"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.
Karimov was hospitalized last Saturday after suffering a stroke. On Sunday, the Uzbek Cabinet said in a statement that Karimov's treatment would "take some time."
Earlier on Friday, the Uzbek government said that the president's condition had deteriorated further after he suffered another stroke.
Karimov’s funeral will be held in his native city of Samarkand on Saturday.
