Police in Istanbul are using tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters gathered at the city's landmark Taksim Square with the intention of entering a park which has been cordoned off by police.

A few thousand people had converged on the square despite warnings from the city's governor that the protest is illegal and police would break it up.

Organizers said protesters would serve notice to authorities of a court decision that has annulled redevelopment plans for Taksim and break through police cordons.

The park has been cordoned off since June 15, when police routed environmentalists who occupied it amid widespread anti-government protests in June.

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