site.bta Gen. Rumen Radev Resigns as Air Force Commander

Gen. Rumen Radev Resigns as Air Force  Commander

Sofia, August 2 (BTA) - Major General Rumen Radev has resigned as Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, the Defence Ministry said on Monday.

He cited having met the retirement requirements as the reason for his decision.

Tuesday's newspapers write that Gen. Radev retired in protest at the Defence Ministry's plans to have foreign aircraft share in air policing missions in Bulgaria.

Last October Gen. Radev asked to resign over the deplorable state of the military aviation but shortly after withdrew his resignation following a conference with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

Radev has been tipped as the Left's candidate for the November 6 presidential elections but he has neither confirmed nor denied media speculation about this.