Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won his country's first direct presidential election. <br /> <br />With almost all the votes counted, Mr Erdogan had won about 52%, against 38% for main rival Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. <br /> <br />The huge margin of victory means there is no need for a run-off. <br /> <br />Mr Erdogan, who has vowed to bolster the power of the president, promised supporters a "social reconciliation period", saying: "Let's leave the old discussions in the old Turkey." <br /> <br />He added in the speech in Ankara: "Today, not only those who love us, but also those who don't have won. Today Turkey has won." <br /> <br />The veteran leader, who has spent three terms as prime minister, is revered by supporters for boosting the economy and giving a voice to conservatives. <br /> <br />But his critics lament his authoritarian approach and Islamist leanings in a secular state, says the BBC's Mark Lowen in Ankara. <br /> <br />After the provisional results were announced Mr Ihsanoglu, joint candidate for the two main opposition parties, said: "I congratulate the prime minister and wish him success."
