Police clash anew with Istanbul protesters

ISTANBUL: Turkish police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon on Saturday as they dispersed several thousand demonstrators who had gathered anew in central Istanbul in the latest flare-up of protests challenging the government's decade-long rule.

Hundreds of riot police backed up by water cannon trucks moved in on protesters who had gathered in Istanbul's flashpoint Taksim Square, chanting for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to step down.

"This is but a start, the battle continues!" the protesters yelled, throwing red carnations in honour of those killed, injured and detained during the demonstrations that shook Turkey for much of June. "It is by resisting that we will prevail!"

Saturday's demonstration was meant to mark a week since police evicted thousands of people from the adjacent Gezi Park, the epicentre of nationwide protests that shook Turkey, infuriated Erdogan and earned the country harsh criticism from the West.

But on Saturday the violence flared again as police chased protesters fleeing the water cannon in Taksim into the surrounding streets.

In the nearby Beyoglu district riot police repeatedly charged protesters, who pelted them with bottles and rocks, and eventually blanketed the area with tear gas and fired rubber bullets. (AFP)