Supreme military council convenes

ANKARA

The summer meeting of Turkey’s Supreme Military Council began on Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in capital Ankara.

Breaking from the meeting’s traditional venue of General Staff headquarters, this year, in the wake of the July 15 failed coup, the council convened for the first time at the prime minister’s residence, the Cankaya Palace.

Yildirim and Defense Minister Fikri Isik are also taking part in the council for the first time.

The council will review the failed coup -- led by a group of rogue officers outside the chain of command, reportedly members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) -- as well as handle its regular agenda, namely the promotions and appointments of military staff.

Yildirim also announced that the meeting would last for just one day, unlike the three-day meetings of years past.

The council’s decisions will be submitted for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s approval.

(Reporting by Sarp Ozer; Writing by Emin Avundukluoglu)