Turkey's Erdogan Says New Cabinet Announcement Imminent

Turkish President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will ask incoming Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to form a new government on August 28 and announce a new cabinet the following day.

Erdogan made his announcement to supporters from his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) at a congress in Ankara. AKP members waved Turkish and party flags as Erdogan threw red carnations to the crowd.

The Islamist-rooted AKP is due to elect Davutoglu, the current foreign minister, as its leader later in the day.

Davutoglu is a close Erdogan ally and was hand-picked by the president-elect.

Erdogan will appoint him prime minister August 28 after his own inauguration the same day.

Erdogan has dominated Turkish politics after serving 11 years as prime minister. He is expected to transform what had previously been the largely ceremonial post of president into a more powerful position.

Based on reporting by dpa, Reuters, and AP