Turkey’s government, military reach agreement on filling top armed forces posts

Turkish government, military reach deal on posts

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s government and military have reached a deal on appointing the two top military positions — an agreement that highlights growing civilian authority over a military that once shaped politics in the EU candidate country.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had refused last week to approve the military’s first choice for land forces commander. The nominated general was implicated in an alleged campaign to discredit his government.

The veto meant the current land forces commander, Gen. Isik Kosaner, could not be named army chief of staff because he had no replacement.

The presidency says Gen. Erdal Ceylanoglu was appointed land forces commander early Monday, freeing the 65-year-old Kosaner to take over for retiring Gen. Ilker Basbug in overseeing Turkey’s land, navy and air forces for the next three years.