DUSHANBE, October 17, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmonov, who was supposed to leave for Minsk yesterday to attend the CIS summit, instead visited the Qumsangir district in Khatlon today. 

The presidential press service said that a summit of CIS leaders due to start October 17 had been postponed for more than a month. 

During his stay in Qumsangir, the president is visiting areas affected by two devastating earthquakes on July 29.  The main purpose of the visit is for Rahmonov to familiarize himself with the progress of the reconstruction in the tremor-hit areas, as well as the overall socioeconomic situation in the district.