Turkmen President Sacks National Security Minister

Former National Security Minister Charymyrat Amanov

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has sacked his long-time national security minister.

State television reported that Charymyrat Amanov lost his job due to unspecified "shortcomings in his work."

Amanov, who held the position since 2007, was replaced by Yaylim Berdyev, who had been defense minister.

The television report said the move followed a probe of the ministry by the Prosecutor-General's Office, but gave no details.

compiled from agency reports