Turkey appointed a new commander-in- chief of land forces after several top army leaders resigned on Friday, local media reported.

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul (R) meets with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (C) and General Necdet Ozel, commander of gendarmerie paramilitary force, at the Presidential Palace of Cankaya in Ankara July 29, 2011. Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Friday approved the appointment of General Necdet Ozel as the new commander of Turkey's ground forces, TV channels reported after the top four commanders said they were taking retirement. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Some top army leaders, including Chief of General Staff Isik Kosaner, top commanders of land, air and navy forces resigned on Friday, according to the NTV, a private news channel in Turkey.

The army leaders have handed over their retirement applications to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the NTV said.

The Turkish government held an emergency meeting after receiving the applications.

Necdet Ozel, the only commander who did not ask for retirement, was appointed as commander-in-chief of land forces after the meeting and very possibly he will be the new chief of general staff soon.

Isik Kosaner said his resignation is upon a necessity, while the other commanders did not explain about their resignation.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet