ANKARA
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered his condolences over the death of former Turkish president Suleyman Demirel.
In a letter of condolence issued by the Turkish Presidency on Wednesday, Erdogan said that he learnt with sorrow about the death of Turkey’s ninth president.
"Suleyman Demirel, who left his mark on Turkish political history and contributed to development process of our country, is among the important names of Turkish political history as a statesman and politician," he said.
"Suleyman Demirel will be remembered by our honored people in the future with the tasks that he undertook and his role in politics. I wish Allah's mercy on Turkey's ninth president Suleyman Demirel and I offer my condolences to his family, relatives and our people," Erdogan added.
Earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also offered his condolences over the death of Demirel.
In comments made on his official Twitter account in Turkish language, Davutoglu said: "I have learnt with sorrow that our ninth president Suleyman Demirel, who left his mark on Turkish political history, has died".
"I convey my condolences to his admirers, family and our people," he said.
The Turkish premier added that Demirel was a politician who would always be remembered for his unique style and services for Turkey during his long political life.
Demirel died of heart failure due to respiratory tract infection at the age of 91 late Tuesday night.
He was one of Turkey’s most prominent center-right political figures. He served as the country's prime minister seven times and was president from 1993 to 2000.
With just over a decade in office as premier, he was Turkey’s third-longest serving prime minister after Turkey’s first Prime Minister Ismet Inonu and current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
There are many high schools across the country, a university, and an airport in Isparta province named after Demirel.
