Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan called on Monday for national unity after a court ban on a Kurdish party caused angry protests and plunged the country into political uncertainty.
The court ruling drew criticism from the European Union, dealing a new blow to Turkey's faltering hopes of EU membership.
In Diyarbakir, the largest city in the southeast, thousands of Kurds took to the streets watched by riot police during a fourth day of protests since the court disbanded the only Kurdish party in parliament.
In the town of Dogubeyazit, angry protesters threw petrol bombs and stones at police, who fired back with tear gas and water cannon.
Clashes have erupted mainly in villages in the southeast, but also in the heart of Istanbul's shopping and entertainment district on Sunday, raising ethnic tensions.
The European Commission warned on Monday the verdict could deprive a substantial portion of Turkish voters from representation, which it said was essential to Ankara fulfilling its democratic mandate.
The ruling AK Party wants to push reforms aimed at ending decades of conflict with Kurdish separatists, and in his first comments since the verdict was delivered, Prime Minister Erdogan spoke of the need for a national sense of determination.
"We will overcome these problems as long as our nation is united and in solidarity," Erdogan told reporters in Ankara.
Erdogan said he would address parliament later on Monday to discuss in detail the ban on the Democratic Society Party (DTP).
Investors who are hardened to the emerging market's domestic turmoil were relatively untroubled by the events.
The Turkish lira and bonds weakened moderately on Monday but shares were in positive territory, boosted by news of Abu Dhabi's surprise USD 10 billion bail-out for debt-stricken Dubai.
DTP deputies have threatened to quit parliament, a move that could force new elections in Kurdish districts.
Riding an open top bus, deputies from the DTP received a heroes' welcome in Diyarbakir after flying in from Ankara, as around 5,000 people flooded the streets in a largely peaceful protest.
Police later fired water cannon when a group of youths pelted them with rocks and ripped up street signs.
Protesters also stoned a local office of the AK Party and several people were arrested.
Some protesters carried portraits of Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebel group.
The Constitutional Court ruled the DTP should be closed after it found it guilty of cooperating with PKK, branded a terrorist organization by Washington, Brussels and Ankara.
The PKK has fought for 25 years for a Kurdish homeland in southeastern Turkey.
The Kurds, who make up around 20 percent of the population, were for decades forbidden to use the Kurdish language, and have long complained of discrimination.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, December 14, 2009, 21:21