ANKARA: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accepted the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Sunday, hours after the ruling AK Party elected a longtime Erdogan ally as its new leader, and therefore premier.

Erdogan thanked Davutoglu for his service, according to a statement from the presidential palace.

Incoming Prime Minister Binali Yildirim is expected to be mandated to form the new government later on Sunday.

Copyright Reuters, 2016