Acting leader approved to run for Turkmen president

ASHGABAT, Dec 26 (Reuters) Turkmenistan's top legislative body today approved acting president Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov as one more than 10 candidates proposed to run in a presidential election set for February 11.

President-for-life Saparmurat Niyazov, who died last week after ruling the ex-Soviet state for 21 years, left no heir apparent.

The Halk Maslakhaty, or People's Assembly, proposed placing Berdymukhamedov on the list. Its 2,500 delegates then approved his candidacy unanimously, Reuters correspondents in the hall said.

The move makes him a player in the succession to Niyazov although, although under the constitution, he is formally barred from running.

REUTERS MS BD1945