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Person nominated by Prime Minister Erdogan as Turkish Land Forces Commander rejected proposal and retired on pension

05 August 2010 16:12 (UTC +04:00)

At the meeting of the Supreme Military Council lasting for several days the military wing of the council nominated Commander of the first army Hasan Igsiz as Commander of the Land Forces. The political wing led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not agree to this appointment grounding that Hasan Igsiz was mentioned in some criminal cases concerning servicemen. Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered to appoint Commander of the Gendarmerie Forces Atila Isik as commander of the Land Forces. But Atila Isik has unexpectedly retired on a pension today. Atila Isik has reportedly taken this step in order not to impede his colleague Hasan Igsiz and demonstrate the unity of opinion of the military leadership.

Chief of Turkish General Staff is elected at the Supreme Military Council for a two-year term. If General Staff Chief has not reached the pension age, his tenure can be prolonged for another two-year term. General Staff Chief, whose tenure expires, is replaced by the Commander of the Land Forces. Therefore, the post of the Land Forces Commander has strategic importance. Incumbent General Staff Chief Ilker Basbugâ€™s tenure has expired, he has reached the pension age. Land Forces Commander Isik Kosaner will succeed him. The main dispute concerns the Land Forces Command.