Now, Erdogan wants control of spy agency, military brass

ANKARA: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said he wanted to introduce constitutional changes to bring the Turkish spy agency and military chief of staff

ANKARA: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said he wanted to introduce constitutional changes to bring the Turkish spy agency and military chief of staff directly under his control as he seeks to tighten his grip on the country after the failed coup.

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Turkey meanwhile pressed ahead with a crackdown on the alleged accomplices of the coup, which Erdogan said has resulted in the detention of almost 19,000 people but has also sparked international concern.

“We are going to introduce a small constitutional package (to parliament) which, if approved, will bring the National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) and chief of staff under the control of the presidency,” Erdogan told A-Haber television.

The government would need support from opposition parties to push through the shift as a super majority of two-thirds of deputies is needed to make constitutional changes.

Erdogan added in the wake of the July 15 coup bid “military schools will be closed... and a national military university will be founded” as part of a wide-ranging shake-up of the military.

He also said that in future the heads of the land, sea and air forces will have to report directly to Defence Minister Fikri Isik.

The changes, announced just over two weeks after the coup, appear aimed at giving Erdogan more control over the armed forces and intelligence. Rogue elements in the military--who Erdogan says were controlled by the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen--surprised the authorities by launching the coup, while the president has also complained of intelligence failures.