Protesters hold fast despite PM's warning

Turkey Protest Continues : Anti-government protesters demonstrate in central Ankara. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told flag-waving supporters on Sunday that his patience with mass anti-government protests had its limits, and moved to seize back the initiative by announcing counter-rallies next weekend. Photo: Retures

A core of Turkish protesters showed little sign of easing their occupation of a central Istanbul square on Monday after Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan warned his patience may run out over the worst anti-government unrest in years.
Protesters, many camped out in tents, now control a large area around Taksim Square, with approach roads barricaded by masonry, paving stones and steel rods. Police have withdrawn completely from the area, water cannon kept hundreds of meters away by the side of the Bosphorus waterway.
The unrest has unnerved investors who have long viewed Turkey as one of the more stable emerging markets. Ratings agency Moody's said prolonged uncertainty could hit tourism revenues and slow investment in its capital markets.
Erdogan criticized speculators after the stock market fell almost 15 percent during last week's unrest. He said he would "choke" those who were growing rich off "the sweat of the people", comments that further jangled investors' nerves.
What began as a campaign against government plans to develop a leafy park in the corner of the square turned into a show of defiance against Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted AK Party after police firing tear gas and water cannon tried to flush out the campaigners ten days ago.