ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Turkish riot police fired tear gas and used water cannon against anti-government protesters in Istanbul's Taksim Square, driving out thousands of demonstrators after a day of clashes.

Police had been confronted by jeering protesters banging drums and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. Protesters pelted water cannon vehicles with stones and ambulances were later seen moving in and out of the square.

Erdogan had earlier called on protesters to stay out of Taksim, the center of more than a week of demonstrations that have divided the country he has dominated for a decade.

In an indication of the impact of the protests on investor confidence, the central bank said it would intervene if needed to support the Turkish lira.