Turkey protests: Hundreds reoccupy Istanbul square

Hundreds of protesters have reoccupied a central square in Istanbul following two days of violent demonstrations that saw almost 1,000 people arrested. The situation is generally calm and city workers are clearing up after the protests in Istanbul and Ankara. Officials say 26 police and 53 civilians were hurt, one seriously. Protests began over the redeveloping of a park near Istanbul's Taksim Square but broadened into anti-government action after a tough police response. The protests represent the most sustained anti-government unrest for a number of years. The BBC's James Reynolds in Istanbul says a lot of people are fed up with the government, which they believe wants to take away some of their personal freedoms. 'Lesson learnt' There had been some isolated clashes around the streets of Istanbul in the early hours of Sunday. But the atmosphere at dawn was calmer and largely peaceful, with demonstrators milling about between burnt-out cars and gathering around fires. Our correspondent says that steady rainfall has dampened protests, and many of the demonstrators went home to get some rest. However, he says this has been a largely afternoon and evening protest, and that clashes could resume later in the day. There have been calls on social media for renewed protests. Hundreds of people waving flags later returned to the square, some chanting "Government, Resign!" One protester, Akin, told Reuters: "We will stay until the end. We are not leaving. The only answer now is for this government to fall. We are tired of this oppressive government constantly putting pressure on us." Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted on Saturday that "there have been some mistakes, extremism in police response", but also accused his opponents of using the anger over the Gezi Park issue to stoke up tensions. Istanbul mayor Kadir Topbas tried to ease the tension, telling a local television station that "we have learnt our lesson". He regretted "not informing the people enough" about the Gezi Park redevelopment. Shop owners and city workers have begun to try to clean up, removing graffiti from walls and windows. Interior Minister Muammer Guler said 90 demonstrations had taken place in 48 cities after the protests spiralled. He said some of those arrested had since been released but others would be put on trial. Mr Guler said one of the injured civilians was being treated in an intensive care unit at an Istanbul hospital. Amnesty International claimed two people had been killed and more than 1,000 injured, though there was no confirmation of those figures. Amnesty's Europe director John Dalhuisen said: "The excessively heavy-handed response to the entirely peaceful protests in Taksim has been truly disgraceful." The US also expressed concern over Turkey's handling of the protests. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in power since 2002, and is expected to run for the presidency in 2014. Some in Turkey have complained that his government is becoming increasingly authoritarian. His ruling AK Party has its roots in political Islam, but he says he is committed to Turkey's state secularism.