Rumors of Karimov's death were circulating for days before several news agencies - citing unnamed sources - finally confirmed it on Friday. Uzbek authorities also confirmed the longtime leader's death, but only after several foreign leaders sent their condolences.

The Uzbek leader died after battling a "severe illness" and will be buried on Saturday, they said in a statement.

Earlier on Friday, Turkey's officials expressed their condolences.

"As the Turkish republic, we share the sorrow of the Uzbek people," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said during a televised cabinet meeting. "May Allah rest him in peace."

Russian President Vladimir Putin also lamented Karimov's death, saying it was a "great loss for the people of Uzbekistan." The last Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev praised Karimov as a "capable man with a strong character."

(DW)