Turkmen leader died of cardiac arrest-Turkmen TV

ASHGABAT, Dec 21 (Reuters) Turkmen President-for-life Saparmurat Niyazov has died, Turkmenistan state-controlled television said today confirming an earlier report from a government source.

''Turkmenbashi (Head of the Turkmen) the Great has died,'' said a news presenter on Turkmen state-controlled television.

He said the 66-year-old leader had died of a sudden cardiac arrest. The TV ran still images of a national flag in a black-bordered frame.

REUTERS RL RK1212