ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey's prime minister is chairing a key military council meeting to appoint new top brass following the resignations of the country's chiefs of staff in protest at the arrest of dozens of generals in alleged coup plots.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government has been curbing the military's clout since he came to power in 2002 and Friday's resignations strengthened his hand.

The government is poised to fill the leadership vacuum by officially appointing Gen. Necdet Ozel, the military police commander, as chief of staff.

Ozel is presently serving as acting chief of staff and army commander. The seats of chief of staff of navy, air force and military police are also vacant.

Turkish media said Monday the government is against promotion of some generals who are implicated in coup plots.