ANKARA: Former Turkish Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel has passed away in Guven Hospital in Ankara at the age of 90.
He seven times as Turkey’s prime minister, dominating the nation’s politics when the country struggled with violence, economic stagnation and military rule.
In a career that spanned nearly half a century, Demirel, who became Turkey’s president after his many reprises as prime minister, was the nation’s most remarkable political survivor.
Like several other Turkish leaders of his generation, Former Prime Minister was trained as an engineer. He oversaw many hydroelectric projects and became director general of the State Hydraulic Works at 31. He became known as “the king of dams.”
In 1954, Demirel was the first Turk selected for an Eisenhower Fellowship, a program that brought emerging leaders to the United States for several months of traveling, seminars and classes.
