May 09, 2016•Update: May 10, 2016
ANKARA
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met Chief of Turkish General Staff Hulusi Akar in Ankara on Monday.
The meeting lasted for two-and-a-half hours.
In remarks made to the media, Davutoglu said: "One of the main reasons that Turkey looks to the future with confidence in a democratic system, despite lots of regions in crisis around it, is the Turkish General Staff."
He hailed the military as one of the vital organs of the Turkish Republic, especially "when survival of the state matters."
During my 20-month-tenure as prime minister, the Turkish government and Turkish General Staff worked "in harmony" and "fulfilled many important and challenging duties," Davutoglu said.
"Whether it is the issue of terrorism within our borders or instabilities emerging out of Syria and Iraq, Turkish Armed Forces represented our country's power and might," he added.
He also said that he was grateful to all martyred soldiers, veterans, security and police personnel.
"Our republic will reach its centennial goals through determination," he said.
On May 5, Davutoglu declared at a press conference that he would step down as prime minister after the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's extraordinary congress on May 22.
