Turkey's Erdogan to meet with protest organizers on Wednesday

GlobalPost

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan will meet with the leaders of the Gezi Park protest movement on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said Monday.

The Gezi Park protests began in opposition to the planned demolition of the Istanbul park, but soon became the platform for a massive anti-government rally seen as a widespread rebuff to Erdogan's leadership.

The rally sparked similar protests throughout the country. Erdogan has blamed foreign elements for the unrest. 

More from GlobalPost: Turkey's protesters talk sex, booze and human rights (VIDEO)

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Arinc told journalists that further demonstrations, which he described as "illegal," would no "longer be allowed" in the country. 

According to Reuters, it was the protesters who suggested the talks. "They asked to meet the prime minister and he agreed to meet with the organizers," Arinc was quoted as saying. 

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