Turkey’s top cleric retires from his post

By Aynur Ekiz and Mehmet Tosun

ANKARA

Turkey’s top religious official retired from his post on Monday, sources from the Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) confirmed.

Mehmet Gormez’s retirement request was accepted by the Turkish Prime Ministry, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Ekrem Keles, who chairs the High Council of Religious Affairs, will serve as the directorate’s interim chief until Gormez’s successor is appointed, according to the sources.

The 58-year-old top cleric in Turkey was appointed to the post in November 2010.