Mediterranean Games hit by anti-government protests

MERSIN, Turkey (AP) - The opening ceremony of the Mediterranean Games in Turkey have been hit by anti-government protests and police using water cannons to disperse about 300 protesters.

The protesters on Thursday targeted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who spoke at the opening ceremony for the games which run to June 30. The games take place every four years among countries of the Mediterranean Basin.

Four demonstrators and two police officers were injured in the skirmishes in Mersin, the private Dogan news agency said. Roads leading to the stadium were closed and barricaded, and protesters kept 10km from the venue.

Turkey has been hit by sometimes violent protests since May 31, following a crackdown on environmental activists who opposed plans to remove trees and develop Istanbul's Gezi Park.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.