TASHKENT, Uzbekistan 

The parliament on Thursday approved the decision to appoint Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev as the country’s acting president following the demise of former President Islam Kerimov last week, local media reports said.

The decision to appoint Mirziyayev came after Senate Chairman Nigmatilla Yuldoshev, who was supposed to become acting president in accordance with the constitution, declined and said Mirziyayev was a more “appropriate candidate” for the post due to his experience, according to Uzdaily.

Mirziyayev became prime minister in 2003.

A presidential poll is expected to be held within the next three months.

Former President Islam Karimov passed away at the age of 78 Friday after being in intensive care for cerebral hemorrhage since Aug. 27.

Reporting by Bahtiyar Kerimov : Writing by Hale Turkes