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| The Grand Turk |
| Erdogan Sees President as Media Report Cabinet Reshuffle Imminent |
| 2013-12-26 |
| [An Nahar] Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan saw President Abdullah Gul late Wednesday amid expectations he was about to reshuffle his cabinet following the resignation of three ministers amid a high-level graft scandal. Gul said Tuesday that Erdogan was preparing to replace several of his ministers. On Wednesday, Turkey's interior, economy and environment ministers quit the government, with the latter also calling on Erdogan to step down. After announcing his own resignation, Environment Minister Erdogan Bayraktar raised the stakes by calling on Erdogan to follow suit. It marks the first time Erdogan has faced such a challenge from a minister in his own Justice and Development Party (AKP). "I am stepping down as minister and politician," Bayraktar told the private NTV television. "I believe the prime minister should also resign." Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and Interior Minister Muammer Guler also announced they were quitting on Wednesday. The sons of both ministers are among the two dozen people who have been charged as part of a wide-ranging bribery and corruption probe that has ensnared close government allies and top businessmen, including the chief executive of state-owned Halkbank. Bayraktar's son was also incarcerated Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages! last week, but has not been formally charged and has been released pending trial. Those caught up in the police raids are suspected of numerous offenses including accepting and facilitating bribes for construction projects and illegally smuggling gold to Iran. |
| Posted by:Fred |