Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Sept. 2) offered his condolences to the death of Uzebk President Islam Karimov who died earlier in the day at the age of 78, the Kremlin said.

Lamenting Karimovs death a "great loss" for the people of Uzbekistan, Putin spoke highly of his role in contributing to the establishment of strategic partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan, according to a Kremlin statement.

Putin also credited Karimov with strengthening security and stability in Central Asia, and promoting multilateral cooperation in the region, Reuters reported.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also offered condolences to Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev over Karimovs death, praising him for considerable achievement in "state building and the countrys socioeconomic development."

Medvedev will head a Russian delegation to attend the funeral of Karimov in the historic town of Samarkand on Saturday, said his spokesperson Natalia Timakova.

Source: ANTARA