“Until the Syrian people are free, peaceful and safe, we will remain in this country,” state-run Anadolu news agency quoted Erdogan as saying at a two-year presidential cabinet evaluation meeting on Tuesday.

In Syria, Ankara throws its weight behind armed forces opposing the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, including jihadist groups.

Turkey’s current presidential system offers the country faster, more effective and comprehensive reflexes during a time of regional and global crises, Erdogan further said.

"The presidential government system is the only administrative reform that has been carried out directly by the national will in our 200-year quest for democracy," the Turkish president added.

Turkey’s executive presidential system was ushered in with the June 2018 elections. The system has come under criticism for effectively eliminating the prime minister's post while transferring executive powers to the president, who rules with only limited checks and balances.

The Turkish president vowed to willingly adjust his policy should a better and more effective system of government be found.

"Are there no deficiencies or flaws? Yes there are. But we are quickly correcting these with the opportunities provided by the new system,’’ Erdogan said. "This will take time to settle, as is the case with any change.’’

Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) maintains the new system would allow for the smoother running of government and place the parliament, in charge of legislature, as a counterweight to the president’s executive powers. But critics maintain the system has tightened Erdogan’s grip on the country and ushered in one-man rule.

A total of 64 percent of Turkey wishes to revert to the parliamentary system from the current presidential system, according to a survey commissioned earlier this year by Turkey’s center-right opposition Good (IYI) Party.

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