9 Jun 2013

More protests in Turkey

8:29 am on 9 June 2013

Police in Ankara have used tear gas and water cannon on demonstrators as anti-government protests in Turkey enter a second week.

About 5000 people had gathered in Kizilay Square in the centre of the capital. There were also protests on Saturday in Istanbul and other cities.

The BBC reports the unrest was sparked by a police crackdown on a protest over a park in Taksim Square, Istanbul.

Earlier, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ruled out early elections.

"You don't decide on early elections because people are marching on the streets," he said.

In Istanbul, supporters of three rival football clubs - Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas - set aside their differences to march together to Taksim Square.