Turkey PM says patience 'has limit' as protests rage

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned today that the patience of his Islamic-rooted government "has a limit" as he went on the offensive against mass protests to his decade-long rule.
"We remained patient, we are still patient but there's a limit to our patience," Erdogan told thousands of cheering supporters of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) as he landed at Ankara's airport, hours after rallying loyalists in two other Turkish cities.
"Nobody should be pessimistic. Nobody should worry. Turkey went through many events in the past and will overcome this too."
His outdoor speech was frequently interrupted by applause from supporters waving red and white Turkish flags, chanting: "Turkey is proud of you".

The premier said more than 600 police officers have been hurt in the civil unrest.
The turmoil erupted when police cracked down on a small campaign against an Istanbul park redevelopment on May 31, and ballooned into nationwide protests against Erdogan, seen as increasingly authoritarian.
More than 4,000 people have been injured and three have died in the clashes so far, tarnishing Turkey's image as a model of Islamic democracy.