Protests against Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan engulfed Istanbul last night as numerous clashes occurred with police.

Here in the Besiktas district of the country's largest city hundreds of protestors demonstrated against the current government led by the Justice and Development Party. Riot police fired tears gas and water cannons in order to disperse crowds away from the Prime Minister's office in Dolmabahce Palace.

Violence erupted three days ago in Gezi Park after protestors claimed the Islamist-rooted ruling party under Erdogan is becoming increasingly authoritarian and religiously conservative in the secular republic.

Mr Erdogan meanwhile claims that the protesters are undemocratic and that their actions have been provoked by the opposition Republican People's Party.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner