DHAKA: Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been officially sworn in as Turkish president after winning the country's first public vote for head of state.

Mr Erdogan, who served three terms as Prime Minister, has vowed to give more power to the previously ceremonial post.

Critics of Mr Erdogan say the move will make him more authoritarian. Opposition MPs walked out of the ceremony.

Outgoing Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is set to be PM after being elected head of the governing AK Party, reports BBC.

Mr Erdogan promised in his presidential oath to protect Turkey's independence and integrity, to honour the constitution and adhere to the principles of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

"In my capacity as president of the Republic, I swear upon my honour and repute before the great Turkish nation and before history to safeguard the existence and independence of the state," Mr Erdogan said at the brief ceremony in parliament.

The new president left parliament to lay a wreath at Ataturk's mausoleum in the centre of Ankara - widely regarded as one of the most important symbols of the secular republic.

Another ceremony was held at the presidential palace.

However, main opposition party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu boycotted the inauguration ceremony.

Under the constitution, Mr Erdogan must cut his ties with the AK Party upon becoming president.

Thursday's inauguration ceremony was attended by several heads of state.

However, the US only sent a representative of its embassy and no Western European leader was there.

Mr Erdogan won the presidential election earlier this month after gaining nearly 52% of the votes in the first round.

BDST: 2231 HRS, AUG 28, 2014