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People in Istanbul are continuing their protests against their government's decision to turn city's Gezi Park into shopping mall. unrest has spread to Turkish capital Ankara and 90 other places across country, in what is seen as dissatisfaction with rule of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan. More than 1,000 people have been arrested and dozens injured. government has come under criticism for its heavy-handed response to protestors. It has now ordered security forces to leave Istanbul's Taksim Square. Mr Erdogan admitted that police had made "mistakes" in amount of force they used, but emphasized that square, "cannot be area where extremists are running wild".

Protesters have been staging their “Occupy Gezi Park” protest since May 26. They want to prevent demolition of one of few green areas left in central Istanbul. Journalist Murat Yetkin said increasing and "disproportionate" police response "has managed to turn pacifist and modest protest into public protest movement". Oral Goktas, 31-year old architect, said: "This has become protest against government, against Erdogan taking decisions like king." Opposition party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu accused Erdogan of behaving like dictator, saying: "Tens of thousands are saying no. They are opposing dictator." Erdogan vowed that redevelopment of park would go ahead as planned.