Turkish PM vows to press on with Istanbul plans despite protests

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday he would push ahead with plans to redevelop Istanbul’s central Taksim Square despite protests in which hundreds of people have been injured.

Speaking after the fiercest clashes between riot police and anti-government demonstrators for years, Erdogan said the redevelopment plans were being used as an excuse to stoke tensions.

Earlier, Turkish police fired tear gas and water cannon for a second day to prevent hundreds of protesters reaching the central Taksim Square, scene of violent protests in which hundreds were injured on Friday.

Anti-government demonstrators wearing handkerchiefs and surgical masks chanted “unite against fascism” and “government resign” as they tried to walk down the street to Taksim, a Reuters witness said.

Protesters also clashed with police in the Besiktas neighborhood, on the shores of the Bosphorus, after crossing a bridge in another apparent attempt to reach Taksim.