Turkey's Erdogan replaces transport minister amid virus outbreak

FILE PHOTO: Turkey's Transport and Infrastructure Minister Mehmet Cahit Turhan speaks during a news conference at the construction site of the city's third international airport in Istanbul, Turkey August 8, 2018. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan replaced Transport Minister Mehmet Cahit Turhan in an overnight decree on Saturday, as the country battles a fast-growing coronavirus outbreak that has so far claimed 108 lives in just over two weeks.

Adil Karaismailoglu has been appointed as the new minister, the decree published in the Official Gazette said. No details or reasons for the move were provided. In a statement, the Transport Ministry said a handover ceremony had taken place in Ankara.