World Bulletin / News Desk

Former MIT deputy secretary Ismail Hakki Musa has become the new acting head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), the prime minister's office announced.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met Tuesday with ex-chief Hakan Fidan to discuss the ongoing Kurdish “solution process.” The meeting was also attended by Deputy PMs Yalcin Akdogan, Bulent Arinc and Numan Kurtulmus and the defense, justice and interior ministers.

Davutoglu and other officials thanked Fidan for his “outstanding efforts.” Fidan, who has been running Turkey's intelligence agency since May 2010, is an influential figure who has made headlines in regards to Turkey’s Middle East policy.

He has also been a key figure in the “solution process”, an initiative launched by the Turkish government to end the decades-old conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

Last week, Fidan resigned his post, effective Tuesday, in order to run in the June 7 general elections, the prime minister's office said.