Elected president leads military event

Turkey’s president led the military parade marking the Turkish war of independence yesterday, in the latest sign of civilian authority over the armed forces.

President Abdullah Gul, supreme chief of the military in the constitution, stood as rows of generals approached in a line and shook his hand at the military’s headquarters to mark the 89th anniversary of victory over Greece, Britain, France and Italy.

In the past, the greetings have always been received by the top general. The gesture follows July’s resignations of the nations top four military commanders in protest against the arrest and prosecution of hundreds of retired and active-duty military officers in alleged coup plots.