Albania nominates its first female army general

TIRANA, Albania – Albania’s defence ministry has nominated a woman for promotion to the rank of general, which would be a first for the nation.

Defence Minister Mimi Kodheli’s press office said Tuesday that she has proposed a female colonel to move up to join five male generals. The woman’s name was not disclosed as the nomination has not been completed.

Kodheli, appointed in 2013 as the first woman to serve as Albania’s defence minister, has proposed three women as colonels, increased the number of women in uniform to 14 per cent of the about 8,500 military personnel, and appointed a woman as Albania’s counsellor at the Afghan defence ministry.