At the scene
Looking out at Taksim Square, I can see the clouds of tear gas that have covered the centre of Turkey's biggest city for much of the morning.
Police trucks have been spewing arcs of water cannon against the protesters, some of whom have responded with chunks of stone and petrol bombs.
The authorities claim this is an attempt to clear the square of banners, tents and flags scattered across it since the protest movement began 12 days ago. They say they will not enter the park that adjoins Taksim, the development of which first sparked the unrest.
The prime minister had called a meeting with protest leaders tomorrow. That announcement was seen as an olive branch - a potential diplomatic means to break the deadlock. But those talks may now be thrown into jeopardy by the strongest police action in Istanbul in over a week. BBC
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