ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday approved the appointment of Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt as Chief of the Air Staff.

The President approved the appointment on the advice of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman is due to retire on March 18, 2012, on completion of three-year tenure.

Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt would be granted the rank of Air Chief Marshal from the date he assumes the charge of the appointment, he said.