Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won his country's first direct presidential election.

With almost all the votes counted, Mr Erdogan had won about 52%, against 38% for main rival Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

The huge margin of victory means there is no need for a run-off.

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."

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."

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.

But his critics lament his authoritarian approach and Islamist leanings in a secular state, says the BBC's Mark Lowen in Ankara.

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."