Istanbul tense ahead of meeting between Erdogan and protest leaders

Central Istanbul remained tense ahead of an expected meeting today between Turkey's prime minister Tayyip Erdogan and protest leaders after riot police yesterday used tear gas and water cannon to force thousands of demonstrators out of the city's Taksim Square.

Mr Erdogan has repeatedly dismissed those taking part in almost two weeks of nationwide demonstrations as “marauders”, but officials said on Monday he had agreed to meet representatives of a group opposing controversial plans to redevelop Taksim Square.

Those plans triggered the initial protests that mushroomed into anti-government rallies across the country.

As clashes between police and protesters took place on Taksim yesterday, more than 50 lawyers were detained because they had expressed support for the demonstrations.

Authoritarian stance
Mr Erdogan, who rejects accusations of authoritarian behaviour, vowed he would not yield. "They say the prime minister is rough. So what was going to happen here? Were we going to kneel down in front of these [people]?" he told his ruling AK Party. "If you call this roughness, I'm sorry, but this Tayyip Erdogan won't change."

He called on protesters to stay out of Taksim, the locus of demonstrations that constitute his biggest challenge in more than a decade in power.

“I invite all demonstrators, all protesters, to see the big picture and the game that is being played,” he said. “The ones who are sincere should withdraw . . . and I expect this from them as their prime minister.”

His remarks hinting at a conspiracy echo those made by Turkey's EU minister Egemen Bagis in an interview with The Irish Times. Mr Bagis claimed the protests were connected to forces that want to prevent Turkey's rise. "Turkey is not wanted as a regional power by many," he said. "Turkey's rise has given reason for many countries to become anxious."

According to Turkey’s Medical Association, almost 5,000 people have sought treatment for injuries since the unrest began. Three people have died.