Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announces resignation after falling out with President Erdogan

Thursday, May 05, 2016

Ahmet Davutoglu speaks during a news conference in Ankara Reuters

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The Turkish Prime Minister has announced his resignation after falling out with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ahmet Davutoglu confirmed that he will formally step down at his party's congress on 22 May following local media reports of his imminent resignation.

He met Mr Erdogan late on Wednesday in an apparently failed bid to smooth things over amid growing tensions in Turkey over the refugee crisis, European Union deal and terror attacks by Isis and Kurdish groups.
He is likely to be replaced with someone more loyal to Mr Erdogan.

"I decided that for the unity of the (ruling party) a change of chairman would be more appropriate. I am not considering running at the May 22 congress," Mr Davutoglu told the nation.

Mr Davutoglu indicated he did not plan to resign from the party, saying he would "continue the struggle" as a ruling party legislator. He also pledged loyalty to Erdogan, saying the president's honor was his honor, and suggested he would not be a party to any efforts to divide the party.

"I feel no reproach, anger or resentment against anyone," Mr Davutoglu added.

"No one heard or will ever hear a single word from my mouth, from my tongue or my mind against our President."

The two men publicly disagreed on how to deal with Kurdish militants in the south east of the country - Davutoglu has hinted at the possibility of resuming a peace process, while Erdogan is committed to a military campaign.

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