Turkey's Erdogan Says To Cut Back Gendarmerie After Failed Coup

One of several major changes he announced to the military.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attends an interview with Reuters at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, July 21, 2016.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attends an interview with Reuters at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, July 21, 2016.
Umit Bektas / Reuters

NKARA, July 30 (Reuters) - Turkey will cut the size of gendarmerie security forces while expanding its weaponry, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday, in one of several major changes he announced to the military and security forces following a failed coup.

In an interview with broadcaster A Haber, Erdogan also said his lawyers had started work on withdrawing lawsuits against people who had insulted him - including ordinary citizens and members of the opposition CHP and MHP parties - a gesture he announced on Friday in the spirit of “unity” following the July 15-16 attempted coup.

(Reporting by Yesim Dikmen; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Richard Balmforth)

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot