IN PICTURES: Police battling protestors in Turkey

Riot police are still clashing with protesters in the streets near Gezi Park in Istanbul, as tens of thousands of pro-government supporters gather for a rally in support of the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish Prime Minister salutes his supporters during a party rally outside Ankara, Turkey, yesterday.

Anti-government campaigners were mostly driven out of the park last night by police using tear gas and water cannon.

Turkish riot police charge after chasing protesters out of Gezi park last night. Pic: AP

Turkish riot police fire tear gas at protesters in Gezi Park last night. Pic: AP

Police have now sealed off the park, which has become a flashpoint as tensions soar again in the Turkish capital.

A pretzels vendor walks in front of a Turkish police cordon at Taksim Square, in Istanbul, today. Pic: AP

However, there are still many protestors defying the authorities in the country.

A news cameraman, left, falls on the ground as Turkish riot police spray water cannon at demonstrators in Turkey today. Pic: AP

Turkish riot police spray water cannon at demonstrators in Turkey today. Pic: AP