Turkish leader stands firm
He called protests the work of a fringe and rejected the label of "dictator."
ISTANBUL, Turkey - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday rejected claims that he is a "dictator," dismissing protesters as an extremist fringe, even as thousands returned to the Istanbul square that has become the site of the fiercest antigovernment outburst in years.
Over the last three days, protesters around the country have unleashed pent-up resentment against Erdogan, who after 10 years in office many Turks see as an uncompromising figure with undue influence in every part of life.
A huge, exuberant protest in Taksim Square subsided overnight, but an estimated 10,000 people again streamed into the area on Sunday, many waving flags, chanting "victory, victory, victory" and calling on Erdogan's government to resign.
About 7,000 people took part in protests in Ankara, the capital, that turned violent on Sunday, with demonstrators throwing fire bombs and police firing tear gas. Scores of protesters were detained.
Some protesters have compared Erdogan to a sultan and denounced him as a dictator. Scrambling to show he was unbowed and appealing to a large base of conservative Turks who support him, Erdogan delivered two speeches on Sunday and appeared in a television interview.
With Turkish media otherwise giving scant reports about the protests, many turned to social media outlets for information.
"There is now a menace which is called Twitter," Erdogan said. "The best examples of lies can be found there. To me, social media is the worst menace to society."
Under Erdogan's leadership, Turkey has boosted economic growth and raised its international profile. But he has been a divisive figure at home.
The White House on Sunday night called for all parties in Turkey to "calm the situation." Spokeswoman Laura Lucas said Turkey's long-term stability is best guaranteed by upholding "the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and association."