Turkey’s Supreme Military Council appointed new top brass Thursday after the shock mass resignation of its high command in a row with the government over promotions. Acting chief of staff General Necdet Ozel became the new chief of staff and will take up the post after the cabinet approves the appointment. “The decision of the cabinet is expected. We have no problem about that. The name for the post of chief of staff is obvious,” said president’s office spokesman Ahmet Sever in televised remarks, referring to Ozel.
The council appointed General Hayri Kivrikoglu as commander of land forces, while Admiral Emin Murat Bilgel became the navy commander and General Mehmet Erten the air commander, Sever said. General Bekir Kalyoncu was appointed as the chief of military police, he added.
The unexpected appointment of Kivrikoglu, who commanded the First Army, was interpreted by media a move by the government to dismiss the officers it regarded as hostile. Kivrikoglu will serve for two years. The council decided to extend the tenure of 14 generals and admirals who are in custody on charges of attempting to overthrow the government, Sever said. The officers will remain in their posts for one year, without promotion. President Abdullah Gul has approved the council’s appointments.
Armed forces chief Isik Kosaner and the separate heads of the army, navy and air force all dramatically resigned last week in a row with Ankara over the promotion of dozens of officers held in a probe into alleged plots to oust the government. The annual meeting of the council to review the promotion prospects of senior officers opened Monday under the direction of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan but, for the first time ever, without the country’s four top generals in attendance.
