This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22925619

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Turkey unrest: Fresh violence as PM Erdogan holds rally Turkey unrest: Mass rally for Erdogan amid new clashes
(about 2 hours later)
Fresh unrest has erupted in Ankara and Istanbul, with police firing tear gas and water cannon amid continuing anti-government protests. Turkey's prime minister has rallied tens of thousands of supporters in Istanbul, telling them it was his duty to clear a city square that has been the focus of anti-government unrest.
The unrest flared as PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan's supporters gathered for a huge show of strength in Istanbul. Recep Tayyip Erdogan denied he was a dictator, criticised foreign media and vowed to "identify one by one those who have terrorised the streets".
Referring to the police action to clear Istanbul's Taksim Square of protesters, he said it was his "duty as PM". Unrest has continued in Ankara and Istanbul, with police firing tear gas.
Two major trade union groups have called a one-day nationwide strike for Monday in protest at police violence. Two trade union groups have called a one-day nationwide strike for Monday.
Baki Cinar, a spokesman for one of the groups, Kesk, told Agence France-Presse news agency: "Our demand is for police violence to end immediately." Baki Cinar, a spokesman for one of the groups, Kesk, told AFP news agency: "Our demand is for police violence to end immediately."
The protests began on 28 May against a plan to redevelop Istanbul's Gezi Park, but snowballed into nationwide anti-government protests after the perceived high-handed response of the authorities under their three-term prime minister. The protests in Turkey began on 28 May against a plan to redevelop Istanbul's Gezi Park, but snowballed into nationwide anti-government protests after the perceived high-handed response of the authorities under their three-term prime minister.
Medical officials estimate that 5,000 people have been injured and at least four killed since protests began. Medical officials estimate that 5,000 people have been injured and at least four killed since the protests began.
Running battles
Police fired tear gas and water cannon to clear demonstrators in Ankara's Kizilay Square on Sunday afternoon.
At least four people were injured.
Police earlier dispersed a memorial service in the capital for a protester who died of injuries during a demonstration.
Tear gas and water cannon were also fired near Istanbul's Taksim Square.
Activists have been calling on protesters to return to the area after the police action on Saturday night.
However, there is a tight police cordon at the square, with bag searches and identity checks.
Istanbul's governor, Huseyin Avni Mutlu, said the public would not be allowed into the square, adding that it would be "unsafe" for protesters to try to gather.
He also said two security officials were wounded "by a pistol" during the clashes.
Witnesses say Saturday was one of the worst nights of unrest since Gezi Park was occupied 18 days ago.
Riot police fought running battles with protesters.
The appearance of troopers from the country's gendarmerie, a military force under the control of the interior ministry in peacetime, jolted some demonstrators at the city's strategic Bosphorous Bridge.
Clashes continued into Sunday morning in the streets around the square, eyewitnesses said.
'Unbearable''Unbearable'
The rally in support of Mr Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted ruling party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), was held in the Kazlicesme district on the edge of the city. The rally in support of Mr Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted ruling party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), was held in the Kazlicesme district, about 10km (6 miles) from central Istanbul.
Tens of thousands of supporters turned up to hear Mr Erdogan's speech. The BBC's Chris Morris in Istanbul says this was the perfect day, setting and weather for Mr Erdogan to set out his message of "I am the man in charge".
The BBC's Chris Morris, in Istanbul, says this was the perfect day, setting and weather for Mr Erdogan to set out his message of "I am the man in charge". Mr Erdogan defended Saturday's police action to clear Istanbul's Taksim Square and nearby Gezi Park, saying: "I said we were at an end. That it was unbearable. Yesterday the operation was carried out and it was cleaned up. It was my duty as prime minister."
Mr Erdogan defended the police action in Taksim Square, saying: "I said we were at an end. That it was unbearable. Yesterday the operation was carried out and it was cleaned up. It was my duty as prime minister."
He criticised the international press and social media for the coverage of the unrest, urging them to be ethical and honest.He criticised the international press and social media for the coverage of the unrest, urging them to be ethical and honest.
"If the international media want a picture of Turkey, the picture is here," he said."If the international media want a picture of Turkey, the picture is here," he said.
One supporter at the event, Ruveyda Alkan, told Reuters: "We are the silent majority, not the riff-raff who are trying to frighten us." Mr Erdogan denied being an authoritarian leader and said the protests had been manipulated by "terrorists".
It is the second rally of the weekend for the PM. In Ankara on Saturday he vowed to crush his opponents in next year's elections. He said: "They say 'you are too tough', they say 'dictator'. What kind of a dictator is this who met the Gezi Park occupiers and honest environmentalists. Is there such dictator?
Mr Erdogan has agreed to postpone the redevelopment of Gezi Park while the courts consider the project's legality. "The attitude across Turkey with the pretext of Taksim's Gezi Park is not sincere. It is nothing more than the minority's attempt to dominate the majority... We could not have allowed this and we will not allow it," he said.
He has also strongly denied opposition accusations that he is becoming increasingly authoritarian, pointing to the 50% of the vote he won in 2011 for his third term of office. Activists have called on protesters to return to Taksim Square but it is now cordoned off by police.
There have been sporadic clashes in surrounding areas, with police firing tear gas and water cannon.
Istanbul's governor, Huseyin Avni Mutlu, said the public would not be allowed into the square, adding that it would be "unsafe" for protesters to try to gather.
One protester, Mey Elbi, said the demonstrators would not give up.
She told AFP: "We're angry, this is not over. The world has seen that together, we can stand up to Tayyip."
Some 1,000 riot police have now arrived from regions as far away as Diyarbakir and Sirnak, media report, to try to curb the Istanbul unrest.Some 1,000 riot police have now arrived from regions as far away as Diyarbakir and Sirnak, media report, to try to curb the Istanbul unrest.
Riot police could be seen leaving the city's airport and getting on to coaches bound for the city.Riot police could be seen leaving the city's airport and getting on to coaches bound for the city.
At least 350 police on duty at the airport were also deployed to the city centre in case of possible clashes, Turkey's Dogan news agency reports.At least 350 police on duty at the airport were also deployed to the city centre in case of possible clashes, Turkey's Dogan news agency reports.
Police also fired tear gas and water cannon to clear demonstrators in Ankara's Kizilay Square on Sunday afternoon.
At least four people were injured.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions