Erdogan: Anti-Government Demos, harm to the economy, the image

June 11, 2013

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has called on the protesters to withdraw from the Gezi Park in the centre of Istanbul Tuesday and added that the wave of anti-Government demonstrations was part of an attempt to damage the Turkey for the economy and international image.

"I invite them to withdraw from the Park and I ask this as Prime Minister," Erdogan said at a meeting of the parliamentary group of his AK Party, according to Reuters.

"The Turkish economy has been targeted through these events... Efforts to distort the image of the Turkey have been implemented as part of a systematic plan. »

Meanwhile, hundreds of police officers Turkish riot Tuesday morning entered instead of Taksim in Istanbul, guns firing water and tear gas at low dispersion number of anti-government protesters, reported Reuters.

Police removed the banners of the demonstrators who had been suspended in a building overlooking the square and the Governor of the region, said that police had no intention to break the protest in adjoining Gezi Park.

"Our goal is to remove the signs and photos on Ataturkstatue and the Cultural Centre Ataturk." We have no other purpose, "Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu wrote on Twitter. "Taksim Gezi Park and will not be affected. ''

In a broadcast live from the square on the Al Arabiya television channel, police surrounded by demonstrators and raised in neighbouring areas.

Supported by armoured vehicles, police wearing helmets with shields and white massed nearby square, but there was no confrontation between them and the demonstrators in the nearby park, according to Reuters.

The Turkish media, said that the police were preparing to remove barricades which were erected by the demonstrators in the vicinity of Taksim Square, reported Reuters.

The square has been the scene of violent clashes between police and demonstrators.

Among the events, the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday three demonstrators and a policeman were killed in nearly two weeks of unrest across the country against his Islamic-rooted Government.

"Three young people and one police officer lost their lives in the events," the Prime Minister told lawmakers in a televised address. The Turkey national physicians union has so far put the balance sheet at three dead.

Turkish riot police fired tear gas in downtown Ankara Monday night to disperse hundreds against the Islamic-rooted Government, reported AFP news agency.

Meanwhile, riot police poured into the easy Tunali Hilmi Street which, so far, largely was spared from the hustle and bustle.

Source: Al Arabiya