Erdogan says wants intelligence under his control, military to report to defence minister

Pro-Erdogan supporters hold Turkish national flags and a portrait of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a rally against the military coup on Taksim square in Istanbul on July 23, 2016. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

ANKARA, July 30 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday that intelligence agency will be under his control and military commanders will report to the defense minister, local ATV reported.

Speaking in an interview with ATV and A Haber channels, Erdogan said the moves aim to bring the Turkish military under civilian control after the failed coup attempt.

Meanwhile, Turkish military academies would be shut down and replaced by national defense universities, the president said, adding that students from all schools will be able to enter cadet schools.

Erdogan noted that the country's military chief of staff and the intelligence agency will be under control of the president if parliament passes a constitutional package.

Additionally, all military hospitals will go under the Ministry of Health.

He said Turkey will also reduce the size of gendarmerie by number of personnel, but will be stronger in terms of weaponry.

The president criticized the indifference of world powers to Turkish people's commitment to protecting democracy, saying countries have not sent any official to see the situation in Turkey, but chosen to express "concern" after the coup attempt.

Erdogan said Turkey has demanded the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, accused of conducting the July 15 coup attempt, but the U.S. refused the request.

Turkey will continue to identify Gulenists within the military, police and judiciary, he added, saying a total of 10,137 suspects involved in the coup attempt have been arrested so far.