Turkish PM holds talks with armed forces head

Turkey's prime minister met the head of the armed forces on Sunday, two days after two retired generals were charged over an alleged coup plot; arrests that risked renewing tension between the government and the military.

Political tensions escalated in Turkey last week after more than 30 military officers, including two retired generals, were charged in connection with an alleged 2003 plot to overthrow the Islamist-rooted government.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff General Ilker Basbug talked for around 75 minutes in Ankara, state-run Anatolian news agency said.

But the meeting took place to replace a routine meeting next week, not in response to recent arrests, the agency said.

Their meeting came three days after both men held joint talks with President Abdullah Gul in an attempt to defuse tensions over the investigation.

On Friday however a second wave of military detentions followed and two former generals became the most senior figures yet to be charged.

Analysts say the country is becoming increasingly polarized between a secular establishment, including the military, and the ruling AK Party.


/Trend News/