Supreme military council convenes

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Supreme Military Council (YAS) convened yesterday at the General Staff's headquarters in Ankara. Before the first session began, members of the council visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkey. Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz, Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel, Land Forces Commander Gen. Hayri Kivrikoglu, Naval Forces Commander Adm. Murat Bilgel, Air Forces Commander Mehmet Erten, Gendarmerie Commander Bekir Kalyoncu, Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, Head of the Education and Doctrine Command Servet Yoruk were among the attendees along with the Erdogan. YAS will decide on promotions and retirements of generals and service commanders as well as the promotion of colonels to the rank of general. The meetings will last four days. The decisions taken at YAS meetings will be presented to President Abdullah Gul for approval. YAS meets twice a year, in August and December, under the chairmanship of the prime minister.