World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the favorite candidate to win Turkey's presidential election in August, has said that he will not retain the powers of prime minister if elected president.

Speaking at a public meeting in Turkey's Ordu, Erdogan said that Western media had accused him to developing a system that would allow him to retain leadership powers, but he dismissed this, claiming that he was only interested in the constitution.

'If I am to serve my country, I will not act according to conventions, I will act according to the constitution,' he said.

Turkish citizens will for the first time have a say on who will be the president of the country on August 10, which will mark the first round of voting.

'I have not come (to power) through bureaucracy, I have done so through politics. I must therefore distinguish myself as the people's chosen president,' Erdogan added.

Early opinion polls suggest that Erdogan is set to claim victory in the first round of elections, passing the 50% mark in order to win, way ahead of his main rival Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.