Turkish riot police take up position in Taksim Square in Istanbul June 12, 2013.
Turkish riot police have cleared protesters from Istanbul's central square, following a night of clashes between the two sides.
The police operation follows nearly two weeks of demonstrations in Taksim Square that began when protesters were determined to stop authorities from tearing up a public park next to the square for a new building.
They have also demanded Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's resignation, accusing him of imposing his conservative Islamist views on a secular nation.
On Tuesday, riot police fired tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons at the protesters in Taksim Square in clashes that lasted until early Wednesday.
The prime minister plans to meet with some of the demonstrators Wednesday, but he has accused them of deliberately trying to damage Turkey's image and economy.
He says the protesters are "trying to prevent Turkey's rise and are being used by financial institutions and media groups to harm Turkey's economy.
Three people have died since the protests began almost two weeks ago. About 5,000 people have been hurt and thousands of others arrested.
Police also fired fired water cannons Tuesday to disperse protesters in Ankara, the capital, who had gathered in sympathy with their Istanbul counterparts.
Protests in Turkey
1/13A protester makes the victory sign as he sits outside Gezi Park in front of riot police vehicles at Taksim Square, Istanbul, June 14, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
2/13Protesters watch a film in Gezi Park in Istanbul, June 14, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
3/13German pianist Davide Martello is surrounded by anti-government protesters as he performs in Istanbul's Taksim Square, June 13, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
4/13Protesters stand in front of a barricade at Gezi park, Istanbul, June 13, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
5/13Taksim Square is flooded by tear gas during clashes between protesters and riot police, Istanbul, June 11, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
6/13Police operate during clashes at Taksim Square, Istanbul, June 11, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
7/13A protester tries to take cover from a water cannon fired by police during clashes in Taksim Square in Istanbul, June 11, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
8/13A protester throws a tear gas canister back at police during clashes in Taksim Square in Istanbul, June 11, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
9/13A protester throws a gas bomb towards riot police during clashes in Taksim Square in Istanbul, June 11, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
10/13A protester throws a petrol bomb towards a crowd control vehicle in Taksim Square in Istanbul, June 11, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
11/13A crowd control vehicle fires a water cannon against protesters in Taksim Square in Istanbul, June 11, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
12/13A protester walks in front of a burning barricade during clashes in Taksim Square in Istanbul, June 11, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
13/13Protesters carry another protester affected by tear gas during clashes in Taksim Square in Istanbul, June 11, 2013.
Anti-government protesters who met with Turkey's prime minister say he has pledged to hold off on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park until a court rules on the project.
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