Obama expresses grief over the demise of Uzbekistan President Karimov

Expressing grief over the death of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov President Barack Obama has said that the United States remains committed to its partnership with the central Asian nation.

Obama in a condolence speech said that "At this challenging time of President Islam Karimov's passing the United States reaffirms its support for the people of Uzbekistan”.

He talked about his closeness with Karimov "This week I congratulated President Karimov and the people of Uzbekistan on their country's 25 years of independence".

"As Uzbekistan begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to its partnership with Uzbekistan to its sovereignty security and to a future based on the rights of all its citizens," the US president stated.

Karimov was Uzbekistan's first and only president after it became independent from the then USSR in 1991.

Karimov died at the age of 78 after reportedly suffering a stroke over the weekend.