Army officer formally named as defense minister of Brazil

BRASILIA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Army Reserve General Joaquim Silva e Luna has been formally named as Brazilian defense minister by President Michel Temer, a government's gazette said Wednesday.

It marks the first time a military officer has held the post since it was created in 1999.

Silva e Luna has been serving as the interim defense minister since February when his predecessor Raul Jungmann was named to lead the newly created Ministry of Public Security.

The ministry was established after Temer mandated a federal takeover of security in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It reflected his goal to focus on public security.