Turkish Prime Minister Meets Park Protesters

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is meeting with a handful of anti-government protesters after a night of violent clashes in central Istanbul.

But as a delegation of 11 students, academics and artists met Erdogan, some protesters at Istanbul's Gezi Park and civic associations rejected the talks, saying the group had been handpicked by the government.

Turkish riot police on Wednesday cleared protesters from Istanbul's central square, following a night of clashes.

The police operation follows nearly two weeks of demonstrations in Taksim Square that began when protesters were determined to stop authorities from tearing up Gezi Park next to the square for a new building.

Protesters have also demanded Erdogan's resignation, accusing him of imposing his conservative Islamist views on a secular nation.


The prime minister has countered that demonstrators are deliberately trying to damage Turkey's image and economy. He said the protesters are "trying to prevent Turkey's rise and are being used by financial institutions and media groups to harm Turkey's economy.

Four people have died since the protests began almost two weeks ago. About 5,000 people have been hurt and thousands of others arrested.

Turkish President Adbullah Gul has called for dialogue with demonstrators against the park's redevelopment but said those who had taken to the streets in violent protests were to be dealt with differently.