The government said the weekend protests were ''under control'' even as the largest crowds yet packed Taksim Square in Istanbul, the epicentre of nine days of nationwide unrest. Fans from rival football teams united in the square, setting off red flares to loud cheers.

''I have never experienced this friendship, this solidarity among Turks before,'' one supporter said. ''We have to keep coming. We can't give up because Erdogan hasn't quit yet.''

On Sunday rioters burned tyres and hurled fireworks at police who fired back tear gas.

Tens of thousands poured into the streets in Istanbul, cradle of the 10 days of unrest, as well as in the capital Ankara, the major western city of Izmir and the city of Adana in the south.

"Tayyip, resign!" they yelled, in mostly peaceful protests.

In Ankara, hundreds of riot police used tear gas and a water cannon on Saturday night to disperse about 5000 demonstrators from Kizilay Square. Pursued by police, they took refuge in side streets off the square, which is the nerve centre of the Turkish capital. Several people were reportedly injured.

The  political turmoil erupted after police cracked down heavily on a small campaign to save Istanbul's Gezi Park from demolition that spiralled into nationwide protests against Mr Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party.

Three people have died and thousands injured, tarnishing Turkey's image as a model of Islamic democracy.

Deputy Prime Minister Huseyin Celik, speaking after a meeting between Mr Erdogan and top AKP officials, played down the rallies that flew in the face of the Prime Minister's demand on Friday to immediately end the protests.

''The process is under the control of the government and is becoming normalised and increasingly in line with common sense,'' Mr Celik said.

AFP