Another Cabinet Reshuffle In Turkmenistan

Turkmen leader Niyazov (file photo) 9 December 2004 -- Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov has appointed new security and interior ministers, in the fifth cabinet reshuffle this year.

Niyazov's office said Interior Minister Lieutenant General Gelimukhamed Ashirmukhamedov was made National Security Minister.

Deputy Interior Minister Akmamet Rakhmanov became the new interior minister.

Lieutenant General Annageldy Gummanov, who headed the National Security Ministry since 2003, was appointed first deputy foreign minister.

The president's office gave no reasons for the reshuffle. Niyazov has been in power in Turkmenistan since 1985 when it was a part of the Soviet Union.

(AP)