Military chief appointed in Turkey

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has appointed Nejet Ozel as Commander
of the Armed Forces. The previous commander Ishik Koshaner resigned
due to disagreements with the prime minister last week, Reuters
reports.

New commanders of the ground forces, navy and airborne will be appointed soon.

The Turkish Supreme Military Council concluded a 3-day meeting
yesterday. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the decisions of
the Supreme Military Council, they will be presidented to President
Abdullah Gul by National Defense Minister Ismet Yildiz and Acting
General Staff Commander Nejet Ozel.

Military commanders expressed their protest against the arrest of
generals and officers by resigning. 250 military men, including 173
active, are in jail. About 10% of generals are behind bars, causing a
major stir up at the General Staff. The General Staff accused the
courts of presenting the military as a criminal organization, RIA Novosti reports.

Commander of the Ground Forces General Hayri Kyvrycoglu was commander
of the First Field Army in Istanbul. Admiral Murat Bilgel has become
the Naval Chief. General Mehmet Erten has become the Airborne Chief,
General Bekir Kalyonju has become the Gendarmerie Chief.