TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday attended the funeral ceremony for the late Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

President Hassan Rouhani also sent a message to acting Uzbek President Nigmatilla Yuldashev on Friday offering his condolences over the death of his Uzbek counterpart.

Karimov passed away at the age of 78 after suffering a stroke. He was buried in his home city of Samarkand.

The official announcement of Karimov's death was declared on Friday night. He ruled Uzbekistan for 27 years.

NA/PA