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Turkey protests: Clashes continue despite PM's warning Turkey protests: Clashes continue despite PM's warning
(about 1 hour later)
Clashes between Turkish police and protesters have resumed in Istanbul's Taksim Square, despite a warning from PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he would not show "any more tolerance". Turkish riot police have used tear gas to disperse thousands of anti-government demonstrators who gathered on Taksim Square in Istanbul, after a day of sporadic clashes.
Police overnight used tear gas and water cannon to try to remove demonstrators from the square. Many protesters moved to nearby Gezi Park, where unrest continued into Wednesday morning.
Istanbul's governor, Huseyin Avni Mutlu, earlier said operations would go on night and day to clear the square. On Tuesday Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would not show "any more tolerance".
Protests began 13 days ago over the redevelopment of nearby Gezi Park. Protests began 13 days ago over the redevelopment of Gezi Park.
The protests then widened, with demonstrators accusing Mr Erdogan's government of becoming increasingly authoritarian and trying to impose conservative Islamic values on a secular state. They then widened, with demonstrators accusing Mr Erdogan's government of becoming increasingly authoritarian and trying to impose conservative Islamic values on a secular state.
After riot police tried again to clear Taksim Square overnight, some demonstrators moved to Gezi Park. Early on Tuesday, riot police made loudspeaker announcements, telling protesters to withdraw from Taksom Square, before using water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets.
Many peaceful demonstrators have also been caught in the clashes, and volunteers have set up makeshift clinics to treat anyone injured. Bulldozers were sent in to clear barricades and shelters.
'It's over' Running battles between police and protesters throwing bottles, rocks and firebombs continued all day. Police repeatedly cleared the square, only for demonstrators to return.
The violence follows a day of sporadic unrest in Istanbul. Istanbul governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu said: "We will continue our measures in an unremitting manner, whether day or night, until marginal elements are cleared and the square is open to the people."
"We will continue our measures in an unremitting manner, whether day or night, until marginal elements are cleared and the square is open to the people," Mr Mutlu said in televised comments.
But he also said the action would "be conducted with care, in front of our people's eyes, in front of televisions and under the eyes of social media, with caution and in accordance with the law".But he also said the action would "be conducted with care, in front of our people's eyes, in front of televisions and under the eyes of social media, with caution and in accordance with the law".
Thousands converged on the square as night fell and were repelled by water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas.
Many peaceful demonstrators were also caught in the clashes, and volunteers have set up makeshift clinics to treat anyone injured.
Many of the dispersed demonstrators sought shelter in nearby areas, including Gezi park. Police have said they do not plan to enter the park.
'It's over'
Mr Erdogan defended the police action on Tuesday, saying that an environmental movement had been hijacked by people who wanted to harm Turkey.Mr Erdogan defended the police action on Tuesday, saying that an environmental movement had been hijacked by people who wanted to harm Turkey.
In a televised speech to members of parliament belonging to his Justice and Development Party (AKP) that was frequently interrupted by applause, he asked: "They say the prime minister is rough. So what was going to happen? In a televised speech, he said: "To those who... are at Taksim and elsewhere taking part in the demonstrations with sincere feelings: I call on you to leave those places and to end these incidents and I send you my love.
"Were we going to kneel down in front of these [people]?
"If you call this roughness, I'm sorry, but this Tayyip Erdogan won't change."
"To those who... are at Taksim and elsewhere taking part in the demonstrations with sincere feelings: I call on you to leave those places and to end these incidents and I send you my love.
"But for those who want to continue with the incidents I say: 'It's over.'"But for those who want to continue with the incidents I say: 'It's over.'
"As of now we have no tolerance for them.""As of now we have no tolerance for them."
Nationwide protests
Early on Tuesday, police made loudspeaker announcements, telling protesters to withdraw from the square, before using water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets to clear them.
Bulldozers were sent in to clear barricades and shelters.
They also removed protesters' banners from a building overlooking the square, replacing them with the national flag and a portrait of the father of the Turkish state, Kemal Ataturk - who has also been used as a symbol by demonstrators.
The protests began on 31 May.The protests began on 31 May.
The Turkish Human Rights Foundation says four people have been killed, including one policeman.The Turkish Human Rights Foundation says four people have been killed, including one policeman.
Some 5,000 protesters have been treated for injuries or the effects of tear gas, while officials say 600 police have also been injured.Some 5,000 protesters have been treated for injuries or the effects of tear gas, while officials say 600 police have also been injured.
Protests have also occurred in the capital, Ankara, with smaller demonstrations in many other cities.Protests have also occurred in the capital, Ankara, with smaller demonstrations in many other cities.
Police in Ankara have used water cannon and tear gas to break up demonstrations almost every night.Police in Ankara have used water cannon and tear gas to break up demonstrations almost every night.