Numerous arrests and injuries were reported in Istanbul yesterday as Turkish police and anti-government protesters clashed again.

Tear gas, water cannons and armoured vehicles were used to disperse the demonstrators.

Police moved into Taksim Square, the centre of the anti-government protests, in the early morning, when only a few thousand demonstrators remained. The action reversed a June 1 withdrawal by the police from the area and was a day after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly offered talks, initially set for today, to protesters.

The authorities spoke of a few injuries but a doctors' association said several hundred people were injured. Many ambulances were seen at the square.

Also yesterday, police stormed the city's central Caglayan Court after lawyers began an antiErdogan protest. At least 50 lawyers were taken away.

Erdogan defended the show of force, saying: "We won't just end these protests. We will pursue provocateurs and terrorists. No one will escape."