Change of guard in armed forces

Sweeping changes were made on Friday to Greece's military leadership by the National Security Governmental Council (KYSEA), Greece's top decision-making body for foreign affairs and defense matters, in a move signifying the government's intention to proceed with a fundamental revision of the way the armed forces operate. 

Lieutenant General Dimitris Houpis, until now the commander of Special Warfare, was appointed as the new chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA), replacing Konstantinos Floros.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed gratitude to Floros for his substantial contribution over the past four years - a period characterized by "significant geopolitical volatility and crises."

Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis has been appointed chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff (HAGS), while Dimitrios Kataras, formerly the vice...