UK, Greek defense chiefs congratulate Türkiye's Yasar Guler for new defense minister post

By Yusuf Soykan Bal and Ali Kemal Akan

ANKARA (AA) - The UK and Greece defense chiefs congratulated Türkiye's newly-appointed National Defense Minister Yasar Guler on Wednesday.

UK’s Defense Minister Ben Wallace congratulated Guler and wished him success in his new post in a telephone call, the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement.

In a separate call, Guler and Greek Defense Minister Alkiviadis Stefanis exchanged congratulations on their new duties.

Guler, 68, who served as chief of General Staff since 2018, was appointed National defense minister by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following his May 28 election victory.

Erdogan unveiled his new Cabinet on Saturday after he was inaugurated in the nation’s capital, Ankara.

The president also gave Land Forces Commander Gen. Musa Avsever the post of chief of General Staff, succeeding Guler. Avsever will remain at his current post until a new commander is appointed.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar