German FM calls on Turkish PM to 'de-escalate' tensions in country

BERLIN – Reuters

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle speaks during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, June 8, 2013. AP Photo/Ahmad Jamshid

The Turkish government is sending the wrong signal at home and abroad with its reaction to protests, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Wednesday, describing pictures from Istanbul's central Taksim square as "disturbing".

Turkish riot police fought running battles with pockets of protesters overnight, clearing the square, which has been at the centre of nearly two weeks of protests against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.

"We expect Prime Minister Erdogan to deescalate the situation, in the spirit of European values, and to seek a constructive exchange and peaceful dialogue," Westerwelle said in a statement.