Turk Prime Minister warns protesters
Ankara: Turkey’s defiant Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told supporters his patience “has a limit” as police fired tear gas and jets of water at demonstrators in unrelenting protests against his government's decade-long rule.
As tens of thousands held noisy demos on Sunday in Istanbul, the capital Ankara and the western city of Izmir, Erdogan went on the offensive, firing up loyalists of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) with rallies of his own across three cities.
“We remained patient, we are still patient but there’s a limit to our patience,” Erdogan told thousands of cheering AKP supporters in Ankara on a 10th day of unrest. “Those who do not respect this nation’s party in power will pay a price,” he added, before ending his final rally with a fireworks display.
His fans relished the show of strength, frequently interrupting his outdoor speeches with bursts of applause. Opposition to Recep Tayyip Erdogan is intense, but the ruling AKP has won three elections in a row, having presided over strong economic growth.Â
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