Erdogan new Turkey president

Ankara - Turkey's High Electoral Board has confirmed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the country's first popularly elected president.

Board chair Sadi Guven declared on Friday that Erdogan "has been elected the 12th president of the Turkish Republic" with 51.79% of the vote.

The elections were held on 10 August and Erdogan is to be sworn in as president on 28 August.

Erdogan has said Turkey's ruling party is likely to pick a prime minister to replace him during a meeting of senior party leaders next week. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is reported to be a strong contender.

Although largely a ceremonial position, Erdogan has said he wants to strengthen the presidency and would make use of its seldom-used powers, such as presiding over Cabinet meetings.