Istanbul protests must end, says Erdogan

Turkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Picture: GettyTurkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Picture: Getty
Turkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Picture: Getty
TURKEY’S prime minister convened his party leadership yesterday as anti-government protests entered their ninth day, with thousands of people still occupying Istanbul’s central Taksim Square.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, above, said that the protests must end immediately and will meet with top officials from his Justice and Development Party in Istanbul.

The protests began as a sit-in at a park in Taksim Square to prevent a redevelopment project.

Three people have been killed – two protesters and a policeman – and thousands have been injured.