The streets of Istanbul again resembled a war zone early on Wednesday as anti-government protesters came under fire from water cannon and tear gas.<br/> <br />Thousands turned out for the latest demonstration calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.<br/> <br />Dozens of protesters were detained by police.<br/> <br />U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is urging the Turkish government to respect the rights of its political opponents.<br/> <br />Turkey's deputy prime minister on Tuesday apologised for what he said was excessive violence by the police.<br/> <br />But his words are in stark contrast with those of the prime minister who said on Monday the demonstrators were "arm-in-arm with terrorism."<br/> <br />Many Turks are complaining about what they say is Erdogan's authoritarian style.<br/> <br />Some accuse him of pushing an Islamist agenda which seeks to erode the nation's secular foundations.
