General, president patch alleged rift

Turkey’s powerful armed forces chief paid a courtesy visit to his newly elected president after accusations that the general had snubbed him because of his Islamist past.

Gen. Yasar Buyukanit went to the Cankaya presidential palace in Ankara to congratulate President Abdullah Gul in what was their first private encounter since the former foreign minister was elected by parliament Aug. 28.

They greeted each other with a smile and a handshake before a 45-minute meeting.

Turkey’s top generals did not attend Gul’s swearing-in ceremony nor his first reception as president. Buyukanit has sought to play down the controversy.