Turkey PM to meet organisers of protests

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Ankara - Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet on Wednesday representatives of some groups that organized the recent protests against a demolition plan of Istanbul's Taksim Square's Gezi Park.

The protests have already turned into a wave of anti-government demonstrations across the country, while clashes between protesters and the police were also reported.

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc told reporters on Monday that "illegal demonstrations" would "no longer be allowed" in Turkey.

On Sunday, Erdogan called on his supporters to prepare for pro-government rallies next weekend in Istanbul and Ankara. He, who has already been criticized for his "authoritarian" stance toward protesters, also said his patience with the demonstrations "has a limit."

The nationwide anti-government protests have left at least three people killed, nearly 5 000 injured and thousands detained.

Organizers of the protests said earlier that they would continue their "struggle" until their demands are met by the government through tangible steps. - SAnews.gov.za-Xinhua