Prominent Turkish journalist passes away at age 71

Chairman of the Kanal D News Group and veteran journalist Mehmet Ali Birand who has advocated more freedoms and democracy in Turkey during a career spanning 48 years yesterday passed away at age 71.Birand, who had cancer, died in İstanbul on Thursday from an infection. Describing Birand as a colorful figure with original personality, President Abdullah Gul said his intellect, courage, experience and successful professional career proved that his place could not be filled. For his part, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also released a statement to express his condolences over the death of Birand. Erdogan stated that Birand, one of the most important figures of the Turkish media, has gained sympathies of colleagues and readership with his love of his profession, his hard-working character and productive journalism. Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, Health Minister Recep Akdag, Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Sahin, former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and former Greek President George Papandreou were also among first politicians to express condolences.