Turkey's president-elect nominates new prime minister

Davutoglu is designated candidate as new prime minister and chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), as the successor of Erdogan.

"Our candidate for party chairmanship is Ahmet Davutoglu," Erdogan said at a press statement on Thursday.

"We have made consultations with our party committees in all levels while designating our candidate," he said, adding that "his fight against the 'parallel structure' has been a factor in this decision," referring to Gulen movement, which has been often blamed by Erdogan of orchestrating a graft operation on Dec. 17 against cabinet members.

Gulen movement is accused by the government's supporters of running the "parallel state" and conducting a power struggle with the AKP.

For his part, Davutoglu said "nobody should have doubt that we' ll continue our way in a stronger way," adding that "our restoration movement for the last 12 years will continue without any break," he added.

Erdogan, who has dominated Turkey's political scene for 11 years as prime minister, was elected as president on Aug. 10. He will step down as leader of the ruling party when he is inaugurated as head of state next Thursday.

Davutoglu has been loyal to the outgoing prime minister as an advisor since 2003-2009 when he was foreign ministry in Erdogan's cabinet. He was famous as the chief architect and ideologue of Turkey's assertive foreign policy for the last 12 years, which aimed to make Turkey more influential in international community.