The Turkish government promised to put on hold a controversial development project for Istanbul's Gezi Park pending legal approval to it. If the court in Turkey's second largest city rules in favor of the government's plan, it would be put to a referendum.
The proposal was put forward by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during late-night talks in the capital Ankara with delegates from the Taksim Solidarity group, reports said.
Government spokesman Huseyin Celik pledged that the government will respect the outcome of the popular vote in Istanbul, and called upon the "Environmentalists" camped in the park to clear off.
It is not clear how well the offer be taken by the protesters, as the Taksim group represents only a section of them, who are occupying the park since last month.
Protests against the government's plan to raze a park in Istanbul's Taksim square in May last week turned into nationwide anti-government demonstrations. Protesters demand an end to the decade-old rule of Erdogan, which they branded as "fascist."
In all, five people reportedly died, thousands more hurt, and hundreds were arrested as protesters clashed with police in different parts of the country. A police officer was among the dead.
Environmentalists oppose a government plan to build an 18th Century replica of Ottoman-era military barracks and a shopping mall in the park by cutting down a large number of trees.
Criticized for heavy handed tactics, Erdogan showed willingness for dialogue after giving a final warning to the protesters.
by RTTNews Staff Writer
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