Vahit Melih Halefoğlu


Vahit Melih Halefoğlu was a Turkish politician and diplomat.
Following his education at the School of Political Science in Ankara University in 1942 he entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between 1962 and 1983, Halefoğlu served as ambassador in Beirut, Kuwait City, Moscow, Den Haag and Bonn.
After the general elections held in 1983, Turgut Özal appointed him Minister of Foreign Affairs from outside of the parliament. At the intermediate general elections of 1986, he was elected deputy of Ankara from the Motherland Party. He did not stand for election in the 1987 general elections and ended his political career.

Personal life

Halefoğlu was married to Zehra Bereket. Her father, Suphi Bereket, was the first President of the Syrian Federation.
Halefoğlu died on 21 January 2017 at the age of 97. He was interred at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery following the religious funeral service in Teşvikiye Mosque.