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The Chief of the General Staff in Turkey is a military officer of the rank of General who presides over the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces: the Army, Navy and Air Force of Turkey. The post is currently held by İlker Başbuğ.^[1]

According to the Turkish Constitution, the Chief of the General Staff (hereafter "Chief") reports to the Prime Minister during peacetime and serves as Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces. In times of war, the Chief assumes the authority of Commander in Chief on behalf of the President. During peacetime, the General Command of the Gendarmerie and the Coast Guard are under the authority of the Ministry of Interior as interior security forces; at times of war, authority is transferred, respectively, to the Army and Naval Command.

It is customary for the Chief of the Turkish General Staff to have held the posts of Commander of the Army and Commander of the 1st Army prior to their appointment.

[edit] See also

• List of Chiefs of the Turkish General Staff

[edit] References

1. ^ Commander of Turkish Armed Forces