\n with thunderous applause from supporters during a speech in which
\n he pledged to end the \u201cillegal\u201d anti-government protests. He also
\n vowed to continue with plans to demolish an art center on Taksim
\n Square, potentially triggering a further escalation in
\n tensions.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n Upon returning from North Africa, Erdogan addressed thousands of
\n supporters, encouraging them to disassociate themselves from
\n “dirty games”<\/i> and “lawless protests.\u201d<\/i>\n<\/p>\n
\n The crowd responded enthusiastically, pledging to die for the
\n Turkish prime minister and crush Turkey\u2019s worst spate of unrest
\n in over a decade. At least three people have been killed in the
\n protester violence over the past week, including one police
\n officer,with thousands more injured. Activists have condemned the
\n heavy-handed tactics of the police.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I call for an immediate end to the demonstrations, which have
\n lost their democratic credentials and turned into vandalism,”<\/i>
\n Erdogan said in a speech at the Istanbul airport, he earlier
\n branded the demonstrators as \u201cextremists.\u201d<\/i> \u00a0He went
\n on to state that he was elected by the majority of Turks and
\n would not step down.\n<\/p>\n
\n Erdogan will meet with European Union Enlargement Commissioner
\n Stefan Fule to discuss Turkey\u2019s EU candidacy. A number of
\n countries, including the US, have voiced concern over the recent
\n unrest.\n<\/p>\n
\n Members and supporters of Erdogan\u2019s Justice and Development Party
\n (AKP) blocked roads leading to the airport, and waited for the
\n prime minister\u2019s arrival well into the night. He eventually gave
\n his address at 2:00am local time (23:00 GMT).
\n <\/p>\n
\n ![\"Demonstrators](\"http:\/\/rt.com\/files\/news\/1f\/56\/00\/00\/000_par7578344.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n Thousands of opposition activists also gathered in Taksim Square
\n for Ergodan\u2019s return, with some calling for the prime minister to
\n resign. They have barricaded themselves in the center of the
\n square using paving slabs and street signs.\u00a0
\n
“It’s all up to Erdogan and what he says right now. He will
\n decide the fate of this resistance, whether it will calm or
\n escalate,”<\/i> ship captain Mehmet Polat, 42, told Reuters.\n<\/p>\n
\n Erdogan\u2019s aggressive stance towards the protests has raised
\n concerns over the political situation in Turkey \u2014 particularly
\n his vow to press on with a controversial plan to demolish the
\n Ataturk Cultural center in Taksim Square. The dilapidated
\n building, located in Istanbul\u2019s most bohemian district, has
\n become a symbol of the anti-government protests across Turkey.\n<\/p>\n
\n RT\u2019s Irina Galushko called the building a symbol of \u201cprotest
\n and resistance,\u201d<\/i> and the political heritage of Kumal Ataturk,
\n the founder of the Republic of Turkey and its first president.
\n The proposed demolition of the building runs the risk of inciting
\n further violence and unrest.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n Demonstrations began last Friday when a sit-in against the
\n construction plans for Taskim Square turned into violent protests
\n over the perceived authoritarian rule of Prime Minister Erdogan
\n and his Islamist party.\n<\/p>\n
\n Since then, protesters have taken to the streets of Istanbul
\n every night to show their anger over Erdogan\u2019s rule. The use of
\n teargas and water cannons, coupled with the heavy-handed police
\n tactics, has injured more than 4,000 people, according to
\n Turkey\u2019s Doctors\u2019 Union.
\n <\/p>\n
\n ![\"Anti-government](\"http:\/\/rt.com\/files\/news\/1f\/56\/00\/00\/000_was7616452.jpg\")
<\/p>\n