Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has invited a second group of anti-government protesters to a surprise late-night meeting after giving what he called a "final warning" to the marchers.
The second delegation includes artists, actors and singers. The prime minister met with another group on Wednesday. But most demonstrators brushed off the talks, saying the government handpicked the delegation.
Earlier Thursday, Mr. Erdogan gave those he calls "troublemakers" 24 hours to clear out of Istanbul's Taksim Square.
The protests began two weeks ago as a march against plans to tear up a public park next to the square. They quickly built up into marches against the government and Mr. Erdogan.
The opposition accuses him of imposing his conservative Islamic views on secular Turks
Riot police have used tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades to drive off the marchers in Istanbul and Ankara. Four people have died, about 5,000 people hurt and thousands of others arrested.
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said the United States welcomes efforts to resolve Turkey's problems through dialogue. She also said U.S. officials are troubled by what they call pressure on media outlets covering the protests.
The second delegation includes artists, actors and singers. The prime minister met with another group on Wednesday. But most demonstrators brushed off the talks, saying the government handpicked the delegation.
Earlier Thursday, Mr. Erdogan gave those he calls "troublemakers" 24 hours to clear out of Istanbul's Taksim Square.
The protests began two weeks ago as a march against plans to tear up a public park next to the square. They quickly built up into marches against the government and Mr. Erdogan.
The opposition accuses him of imposing his conservative Islamic views on secular Turks
Riot police have used tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades to drive off the marchers in Istanbul and Ankara. Four people have died, about 5,000 people hurt and thousands of others arrested.
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said the United States welcomes efforts to resolve Turkey's problems through dialogue. She also said U.S. officials are troubled by what they call pressure on media outlets covering the protests.