The Central Asian Republic of Turkmenistan today celebrates the seventh anniversary of its independence from the old Soviet Union.

The culmination of the celebrations is a huge parade in the capital, Ashkhabad, presided over by President Niyazov who has led the country since independence.

The BBC Central Asia Correspondent says that this year's independence day comes at a time of growing hardship for many Turkmen, who are among the poorest people in the region, despite having some of the biggest world gas reserves.

Our correspondent says the main problem has been finding a means to export the gas.