An election commission official sits in a polling station during a referendum in Baku March 18, 2009. Azerbaijan reported strong turnout in a referendum on Wednesday almost certain to hand President Ilham Aliyev the chance to rule the ooil-producing former Soviet republic for life.

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad lays a wreath at the grave of late Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev in Baku on July 9, 2009. Assad is on a brief diplomatic visit to Azerbaijan.

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad lays a wreath at the grave of late Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev in Baku on July 9, 2009. Assad is on a brief diplomatic visit to Azerbaijan.

Getty Images 4 months ago

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad lays a wreath at the grave of late Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev in Baku on July 9, 2009. Assad is on a brief diplomatic visit to Azerbaijan.

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Polish President Lech Kaczynski lays a wreath at the grave of late Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev in Baku on July 3, 2009. Kaczynski is on a brief diplomatic visit to Azerbaijan.

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Polish President Lech Kaczynski (L) lays a wreath at the grave of late Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev in Baku on July 3, 2009. Kaczynski is on a brief diplomatic visit to Azerbaijan.

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BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 28: In this handout photo released by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO), Israeli President Shimon Peres (L) arrives at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport June 28, 2009 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 28: In this handout photo released by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO), Israeli President Shimon Peres (C) arrives at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport June 28, 2009 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 28: In this handout photo released by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO), Israeli President Shimon Peres (R) arrives at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport June 28, 2009 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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Prime Minister of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan pays his respects at a memorial to late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev in Baku on May 13, 2009. Erdogan flew to Azerbaijan to reassure its leaders that Turkey's efforts to reconcile with Armenia will not undermine Baku's interests.

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Prime Minister of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan (L) pays his respects at a memorial to late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev in Baku on May 13, 2009. Erdogan flew to Azerbaijan to reassure its leaders that Turkey's efforts to reconcile with Armenia will not undermine Baku's interests.

A worker climbs a scaffold as people sit in a restaurant in Baku March 17, 2009.

Performers gather for a concert to mark the beginning of Novruz celebration in Baku March 17, 2009.

A man passes by a poster of Azerbaijan's late President Heydar Aliyev in Baku March 17, 2009.