Erdogan Urges Immediate End of Protests

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is determined to press ahead with a controversial park redevelopment that has sparked violent protests.

Erdogan declared that he would not yield to "wild extremists" and urged an end to the protests, the BBC informs.

“I call on the protesters to stop their demonstrations immediately,” Erdogan said, asking them to avoid causing “further damage to visitors, pedestrians and shopkeepers.”

"Police were there yesterday, they'll be on duty today and also tomorrow because Taksim Square cannot be an area where extremists are running wild."

Clashes over Gezi Park in Istanbul began on Friday and continued there and in the capital, Ankara, on Saturday.

The protest began as a sit-in over the redevelopment plans but escalated after police used tear gas. A dozen people were admitted to hospital and more than 60 people detained.

The unrest reflects growing disquiet at PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration and his Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party.

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