Police in the Turkish city of Istanbul have used tear gas and water cannon against protesters in a fifth night of anti-government demonstrations, the BBC reports.
The clashes came hours after Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc apologized for the violent police response to initial protests last week.
Mr Arinc is due to hold a meeting with activists later on Wednesday.
Protests over the demolition of a park in Istanbul have grown into days of unrest across the country.
Mr Arinc apologized to protesters injured in demonstrations opposing the redevelopment of Gezi Park.
He said the original protests were “just and legitimate” and the “excessive use of force” by police was wrong.
In response, the atmosphere on Istanbul’s Taksim Square on Tuesday evening was almost celebratory as a huge crowd of people ranging from football fans to well-heeled professionals gathered.
But later, police fired tear gas, water cannon and smoke grenades as they tried to disperse protesters.
