Turkish president, outgoing Kazakh leader speak over phone

ANKARA

Turkish president Thursday had a phone conversation with the former Kazakh president in wake of Nazarbayev’s resignation, according to Turkish sources.

Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan carried his wishes to Nursultan Nazarbayev, outgoing Kazakh president, that his decision to leave the post of president will be to the benefit of the state and the Kazakh people, a statement by the Turkish Presidency Directorate of Communications said.

On Tuesday, Nazarbayev announced his resignation as the president of Kazakhstan after ruling the country since its independence in 1991.

Until elections for his replacement, Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, the head of the Kazakh Senate, will carry out the presidential duties.

* Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez