Fresh violence erupted in Turkey overnight as protesters defied a government plea to end days of deadly unrest.

Police used tear gas and water cannon on hundreds of protesters, who ignored warnings to disperse in Istanbul, Ankara and the southeastern city of Hatay.

Protestors in Istanbul were trying to march to Prime Minister Recep Erdogan's home, after thousands turned out in Taksim Square for a fifth night of demonstrations - despite an earlier apology from the Deputy Prime Minsister about heavy-handed tactics against protestors.

In the western city of Izmir, police detained at least 25 people early Wednesday for tweeting "misleading and libellous information".

The wave of protests broke out on Friday after police tear-gassed demonstrators at a peaceful rally against plans to build on an Istanbul park.

But thousands have joined the envirommental demonstrators - to protest against Prime Minister Recep Erdogan's policies.

Mr Erdogan - who's on a visit to Morocco - has played down the demonstrations - saying he expects the problems to be solved when he returns to Turkey.