Istanbul: Just hours after the Turkish government indicated that it was open to holding a referendum on a controversial Istanbul development plan, demonstrators defied an order to end almost two weeks of protests by singing and chanting in the city's Taksim Square.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, said on Wednesday he would consider holding a referendum on plans to redevelop Gezi Park that have led to nationwide protests, in his first major concession.
Gezi Park is a leafy corner of Taksim Square where the protesters have set up a makeshift settlement of tents.
The mood in the public square on Wednesday night was subdued and peaceful, in stark contrast to the previous night when protesters fought running battles with riot police.