Turkish PM Davotuglu announces resignation amid row with Erdogan

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Turkish Prime Minister announced his resignation after falling out with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, The Independent reported Thursday, May 5.

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

He met 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, the Independent says.

"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," Davutoglu told the nation, according to the Independent.

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," Davutoglu added.

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.