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Turkey protests: Clashes continue despite PM's warning Turkey protests: Clashes continue despite PM's warning
(35 minutes later)
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.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.
Many protesters regrouped in nearby Gezi Park, where unrest continued into Wednesday morning.Many protesters regrouped in nearby Gezi Park, where unrest continued into Wednesday morning.
At dawn, bulldozers moved into Taksim Square to clear away debris, barricades and makeshift shelters.At dawn, bulldozers moved into Taksim Square to clear away debris, barricades and makeshift shelters.
Protests began 13 days ago over the redevelopment of Gezi Park.Protests began 13 days ago over the redevelopment of Gezi Park.
They then widened, with demonstrators accusing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of becoming increasingly authoritarian and trying to impose conservative Islamic values on a secular state.They then widened, with demonstrators accusing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of becoming increasingly authoritarian and trying to impose conservative Islamic values on a secular state.
Early on Tuesday, riot police made loudspeaker announcements, telling protesters to withdraw from Taksom Square, before using water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets. Mr Erdogan has offered to hold talks with protest organisers on Wednesday but correspondents say it is unclear whether the meeting will still take place in light of the clashes.
Bulldozers were sent in to clear barricades and shelters. Makeshift clinics
Running battles between police and protesters throwing bottles, rocks and firebombs continued all day. Police repeatedly cleared the square, only for demonstrators to return. Thousands converged on the square as night fell on Tuesday and were repelled by water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas.
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."
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 set up makeshift clinics to treat anyone injured.Many peaceful demonstrators were also caught in the clashes, and volunteers 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. Many of the dispersed demonstrators sought shelter in nearby areas, including Gezi park. Police said they did not plan to enter the park.
'It's over' Throughout the day, riot police had repeatedly clashed with protesters throwing bottles, rocks and firebombs.
Mr Erdogan defended the police action on Tuesday, saying that an environmental movement had been hijacked by people who wanted to harm Turkey. Security forces cleared the square, only for the demonstrators to return.
Mr Erdogan defended the police action, saying that an environmental movement had been hijacked by people who wanted to harm Turkey.
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.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.
"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."
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.