Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed his call on anti-government demonstrators to end their protests, Press TV reports.
On Friday, Erdogan asked the protesters occupying Istanbul’s Gezi Park near the iconic Taksim Square to leave the area Å“by tonight.”
Å“I hope it will be over by tonight…. Please now leave the Gezi Park and go to your homes,” Erdogan said.
The Turkish premier went on to say that the message of the protesters has been heard.
Å“You have stayed here as long as you could and have relayed your message. If your message is about Taksim Gezi Park, it has been received and evaluated.”
The Taksim protesters say the issue is not just Gezi Park, adding that they will continue their protests against the Ëœincreasingly authoritarian styleâ„¢ of Erdoganâ„¢s administration.
On Thursday, negotiations between Turkish prime minister and the representatives of anti-government protesters ended inconclusively.
The protesters dismissed Erdoganâ„¢s Å“last warning” to evacuate the park.
The unrest in Turkey erupted after police broke up a sit-in staged at Taksim Square on May 31 to protest against a government plan for the redevelopment of Gezi Park.
The Turkish prime minister has faced international condemnation for his handling of the crisis. Turkish police have also been strongly criticized for using excessive force against the peaceful protests.
Five people, including a police officer, have reportedly died in the clashes and more than 5,000 protesters and 600 police officers have been wounded.
MAM/KA/SS
This article originally appeared on: Press TV