Istanbul:
Thousands of Turkish protesters defied a demand by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to end days of rallies against his rule, massing for an eighth night on Istanbul's Taksim Square today.
Protesters gathered peacefully to the sound of wailing Turkish pipes and singing, in a more relaxed atmosphere than on recent nights of violent unrest in Turkish cities.
Returning from a foreign trip overnight, Mr Erdogan ordered protesters to end their demonstrations, hinting that he would act against further defiance.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to anybody disturbing peace in the country and trying to hijack democracy," he said.
Protesters gathered peacefully to the sound of wailing Turkish pipes and singing, in a more relaxed atmosphere than on recent nights of violent unrest in Turkish cities.
Returning from a foreign trip overnight, Mr Erdogan ordered protesters to end their demonstrations, hinting that he would act against further defiance.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to anybody disturbing peace in the country and trying to hijack democracy," he said.
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